The Uasin Gishu county goverment has reaffirmed its resolve to make energy the new driver of social and economic transformation.
Speaking on behalf of governor Jonathan Chelilim, deputy governor Evans Kapkea indicated that they were currently implementing the Stima Mashinani and Transformer Maximization Program in collaboration with REREC, which had already connected over 900 households across all the six sub-counties including Lelmokwo in Kesses, Siliboi in Ainabkoi, Mobet in Soy, Kapchemaget in Turbo, Kabiyet in Moiben, and Koshin Kaptien in Kapseret.
The second phase of the project is underway, targeting more homes, schools, and enterprises to ensure no household in our county remains in darkness.
“From lighting our villages to powering industries, energy is the heartbeat of development, and Uasin Gishu is leading that charge,” he noted.
The governor revealed that over the past three years, the county administration had installed more than 3,500 new streetlights lighting up estates, markets, and villages.
This effort had improved public safety, extended business hours, and enabled the youth and women traders to work confidently at night.
The deputy governor said their goal is to increase electricity connectivity in the region from the current 65 per cent to 95 per cent by 2030, so as to drive economic growth, promote entrepreneurship and enable digital job creation.
“Our county is currently leading from the front in embracing green energy. A solar system now powers our headquarters, and plans are underway to solarize security lights and sub-county offices, demonstrating our commitment to clean, renewable energy,” said Kapkea.
In advancing clean energy goals, the county is finalizing plans for the Eldoret City Solar Street Lighting Project, a Sh3 billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) that will achieve 98 per cent lighting coverage within the city.
The system will also integrate CCTV cameras with facial recognition, smart LED lights, and free public Wi-Fi within the city and its environs.
This project will make Eldoret one of the first smart green cities in Kenya and vibrant 24 hours a day.
by Ekuwam Sylvester
