Counties get Sh500m for solar, clean cooking kits

Sh500 million has been disbursed to provide households living in off-grid areas with solar and clean cooking solutions.

The Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (Kosap), which is a flagship project of the Ministry of Energy, is financed by the World Bank.

It will go into product acquisition (stock), market distribution, marketing and direct engagement with potential customers.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter said the project will provide stand-alone solar systems (SSS) and clean cooking solutions (CCS) to families in 14-counties.

“[It is] a critical lever for achieving inclusion, a higher standard of living for our citizens and overall socio-economic development,” Mr Keter said.

The 10 solar service providers will be spread in Turkana, West Pokot, Isiolo, Wajir, Garissa, Samburu, Marsabit, Isiolo, Tana River, Lamu, Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta and Narok Counties.

Under the first round, they have received Sh300 million.

Similarly, nine solar kits vendors will receive Sh200 million to sell about 85,000 stoves in West Pokot, Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu and Isiolo.

The companies were contracted under the second component of the off-grid solar access plan that promotes private investment in solar and cooking solutions.

Although the government with the help of development lenders like the World Bank and the African Development Bank have stepped up power connections to far-flung areas, more than 500,000 homes remain in darkness.

Under the Last Mile programme launched in 2015 to connect 1.02 million households, only 494,374 had been given electricity by May this year.