Nandi County Government has set aside Ksh30 million for the acquisition of green energy to be distributed across all six Sub Counties to boost water supply and lighting. 

The solar energy project is geared towards promoting renewable energy as an alternative source of power and boost trade. 

It is estimated that over 120,000 households in the county will benefit from the project by accessing clean water and solar power for domestic purposes. 

Speaking while presenting the 2021/2022 budget estimates, County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Physical Planning Alfred Lagat said this would revamp the local economy and create job opportunities, especially for young people. 

Some of the institutions targeted for connectivity included local learning institutions, health facilities, market and social centres as well as water distributions points. 

“Since last year, we have installed some solar panels in Potopoto and some parts of Mosop Sub County and we found to be much reliable and efficient compared to the electricity. This financial year, we shall have more solar panels to be put to enhance adequate distribution of water to the local schools and public facilities,” he said

Among the water sources the County allocated the lion’s share of Ksh 20 million includes Potopoto, Kipng’oror among other springs located in Tinderet and Nandi Hills Sub counties. 

The goal of this project is to provide cheap, reliable and clean energy to power public installations and later markets and villages not connected to the national power grid. 

Devolved governments are increasingly shifting to solar-powered streetlights to cut down electricity bills. 

In February this year, Kenya Power disconnected power from the governor’s administration block and major water pump which supply clean water to Kapsabet municipality and its environs over accumulated bills amounting to millions. 

According to business people, low cost of solar panels has attracted more people because it is affordable and reliable.

They noted that frequent blackouts and frustrations from Kenya Power pushed them to install solar panels to enable them to do business without fear.    

“Solar energy is reliable and cheap that’s why many people are using it as an alternative source of energy,” Dickson Kosgey who owns photocopier machines noted.

 Domestic consumers are also embracing solar power installation with the 2019 census report putting solar lighting uptake in Kenya homes at 19.3 per cent.