Kenya’s President William Ruto today witnessed the signing of 20 contracts worth KES10 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 underserved counties.
The contracts will be executed as part of the $150 million World
Bank-financed Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project for underserved counties
(KOSAP). KOSAP is a partnership between the Government of Kenya 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 for
residents of Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Tana
River, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale, Narok, West Pokot and Taita Taveta counties.
President Ruto witnessed the signing of 14 contracts worth KES9.4 billion for
the development of 113 solar-power mini-grids in 12 counties and six
contracts for the installation of stand-alone solar systems in 343 public
schools, health facilities, and administrative offices in 13 counties worth KES438 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, 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,” Ruto said. “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 percent in 2013 to the current 75 percent. He emphasized 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:
● 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.
● Clean cooking solutions: Promotion and distribution of clean cooking
stoves, with over 12,486 verified sales, improving indoor air quality and
reducing reliance on traditional fuels.
● Stand-alone solar for public facilities: Installation of solar power in
public facilities among health facilities, secondary/technical schools,
and administrative offices.
● Solar water pumps: Installation of solar-powered water pumps for
community boreholes, ensuring access to clean water.
Present during the ceremony were senior government officials, World Bank
representatives, Governors, Senators, Members of Parliament, Members of
County Assembly from the beneficiary counties, and other key stakeholders.
