Kenya with the backing of the World Bank has rolled out an extensive electrification programme targeted at underserved counties, boosting the country’s journey towards universal connectivity by 2030.
President William Ruto witnessed the signing of 20 contracts worth Sh10 billion between private contractors, Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation, for the development of 113 solar-powered mini-grids and 343 stand-alone solar systems for public facilities in counties.
The contracts will be executed as part of the $150 million (Sh19.4 billion ) World Bank financed Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project for Underserved Counties (KOSAP).
KOSAP is a partnership between the government and the World Bank, implemented by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Kenya Power, and REREC. Its objective is to improve access to modern energy services to residents of Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Narok, West Pokot and Taita Taveta counties.
It will cover health facilities and administrative offices in 13 counties worth Sh438 million.
These installations will provide access to electricity services to spur socio-economic development and improve the quality of life in the target counties.
Presiding over the ceremony at Stima Club, Nairobi, President Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving universal access to electricity and clean cooking solutions, in alignment with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Kenya National Electrification Strategy.
“These contracts demonstrate our commitment to leaving no Kenyan behind in our efforts to attain universal access to electricity. By harnessing solar energy, we are providing a sustainable and cost-effective solution that will power underserved communities, stimulate economic growth, and improve livelihoods,” Ruto said.
The President highlighted the successful partnership with the World Bank, noting its contribution to increasing the country’s electricity access rate from 29 per cent in 2013 to the current 75 per cent.
He emphasised the importance of connectivity projects in achieving Kenya's Vision 2030 and the Kenya National Electrification Strategy.
The KOSAP initiative focuses on several key areas among them mini-grid development (construction of solar-powered mini-grids to provide electricity to communities that are currently off-grid), solar home systems (facilitated the sale of 178,598 stand-alone solar home systems to individual households, therefore providing electricity to an estimated 900,000 people) and clean cooking solutions. It also offers stand-alone solar solutions for public facilities and solar water pumps installation for community boreholes, ensuring access to clean water.