Kiambu County Government has intensified the rollout of its green energy programme aimed at reducing electricity costs and promoting sustainable energy use across key public infrastructure, including street lighting, water boreholes and county offices.
The initiative is part of the county’s broader renewable energy strategy focused on lowering dependence on conventional power sources while improving efficiency in public service delivery.
According to county officials, Kiambu has already installed solar-powered street lights in several towns and trading centres, a move that has improved security, enhanced visibility at night and reduced electricity expenditure for the devolved unit.
Speaking on the progress of the programme, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change David Kuria said the county has made significant strides in adopting renewable energy policies and integrating them into development planning.
“Kiambu County has done well in terms of developing energy policies, particularly on renewable energies, and one of the components is solar energy,” said Kuria.
He noted that the solar street lighting project is part of a wider plan to transition public infrastructure to clean energy, thereby reducing operational costs and promoting environmental sustainability.
The county government has also announced plans to solarize all county-managed water boreholes. Officials say the initiative will significantly reduce reliance on the national grid and diesel-powered water pumps, which are costly to maintain and contribute to environmental degradation through carbon emissions.
By shifting to solar-powered pumping systems, the county expects to improve the reliability of water supply services, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas that often experience interruptions due to high energy costs or fuel shortages.
County offices are also being fitted with solar energy systems as part of efforts to cut down on electricity bills and promote the use of clean energy within public institutions. Officials say this will free up resources that can be redirected to development projects and service delivery.
CECM Kuria noted that the programme aligns with national and global climate action goals aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuel consumption.
Residents in areas where solar street lighting has already been installed have reported improved safety and increased economic activity during evening hours.
Mary Wamaitha, a resident of Wangige Ward, said the installation of solar lights had transformed the area by enhancing security and enabling businesses to operate for longer hours.
“We used to experience insecurity at night due to poor lighting, but since the installation of solar street lights, the situation has greatly improved. Traders are now able to operate for longer hours and residents feel safer moving around at night,” she said.
Local traders also noted increased customer traffic in the evenings, attributing it to better illumination and improved security along major roads and shopping centres.
CECM Kuria indicated that the rollout of the solar energy programme will continue across all sub-counties in phases, targeting public institutions, markets, health facilities and water infrastructure.
He emphasized that the initiative is part of Kiambu County’s long-term development agenda aimed at promoting sustainable growth, reducing operational costs and improving service delivery to residents.
by Clement Wambui
