By Eng. Peter Njenga
Kenya has emerged as a shining star in Africa's electrification efforts, achieving an impressive connection rate of over 75%, far surpassing many of its peers on the continent.
This success has been fueled by deliberate policies, investments in infrastructure, and an unwavering focus on renewable energy. Yet, beneath this remarkable progress lies an unfinished story.
In many rural parts of Kenya, the hum of an electric current remains a distant dream. The absence of electricity in these regions is not merely an inconvenience; it is a fundamental barrier to progress.
Electricity powers businesses, schools, and health facilities. It enables farmers to irrigate their crops and preserve their produce. It turns small ideas into thriving enterprises.
Without power, rural communities remain disconnected from these possibilities, trapped in cycles of poverty and stagnation. Kenya's success in urban electrification has demonstrated what is possible.
Cities like Nairobi and Mombasa have benefited immensely from reliable electricity, becoming hubs of commerce, innovation, and opportunity.
The same electricity that powers high-rise buildings and digital economies can and should transform rural lives as well.
In remote villages, the power of light could mean the difference between life and death, growth and decline, hope and despair. To address this imbalance, Kenya must leverage its wealth of renewable energy resources.
The country's leadership in geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar energy presents an opportunity to bring sustainable and affordable electricity to every corner of the nation.
Off-grid solutions such as solar-powered mini-grids and standalone systems have already proven effective in reaching underserved areas.
One of the most promising solutions is the Pay-as-You-Go (PAYG) solar model. By allowing households to pay for solar power in small, manageable installments, PAYG systems eliminate the upfront cost barrier that has traditionally limited access to clean energy in off-grid areas.
Some companies have successfully deployed this model across the country, enabling rural families to replace expensive and polluting kerosene lamps with reliable, sustainable solar power. Partnerships between the government, private sector, and development agencies are another powerful tool in this journey.
Public-private collaborations have already demonstrated success in building energy infrastructure and ensuring its sustainability; for example, the last mile connectivity program has bolstered electricity access in Kenya.
By fostering these partnerships and creating favorable regulatory environments, Kenya can attract the investment needed to illuminate its most remote areas.
While at it, we can never discount the role the government is playing in creating the right macroenvironment to accelerate the closing of the gap between what we have covered in rural electrification and the opportunity for growth.
In the same way, we have agencies like KenGen who are leading the way in deploying climate-positive projects in geothermal, hydro, wind and solar upping the share of renewable energy of Kenya’s grid to more than 90 per cent.
The ripple effects of rural electrification are immense. Imagine a farmer in Turkana who, with access to solar-powered irrigation, transforms arid land into productive farmland. Consider the schoolchildren in Samburu who can study at night under the glow of an electric bulb, unlocking their potential to become future leaders.
Envision health clinics in Marsabit equipped with refrigeration to store vaccines, saving countless lives. Women, often the backbone of rural economies, stand to gain immensely. With electricity, they can shift from spending hours collecting firewood to pursuing education, entrepreneurship, or skilled work.
Electrification empowers women, enhances gender equality, and strengthens communities. As climate change intensifies, renewable energy also provides a path to resilience.
Solar and wind-powered systems are not only cleaner and more sustainable but also better suited to withstand extreme weather challenges.
By integrating renewables into rural electrification efforts, Kenya can future-proof its energy systems while contributing to global climate goals. The road to universal electrification has its challenges.
The cost of extending power infrastructure to remote areas is high, and logistical hurdles abound. But these obstacles are not insurmountable.
Through innovative financing mechanisms, capacity building, and community involvement, Kenya can ensure that electrification efforts are both effective and sustainable.
Local communities must be at the heart of these initiatives, not just as beneficiaries but as active participants in planning, implementation, and maintenance.
The dream of energy equity is within Kenya's reach. By committing to bold and inclusive solutions, the country can close the gap between rural access and urban abundance, lighting up lives and unlocking potential across its vast landscapes.
Energy is the great equaliser, the force that can level the playing field and offer every Kenyan the chance to thrive.
It is time to ensure that no one is left behind, that no home remains in darkness, and that every corner of this nation feels the warmth and opportunity that electricity brings.
The writer is the Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen).
Email: md&[email protected] Twitter: @kenGenMDandCEO
