Kiambu County Completes Transition from KPLC to Solar-Powered Streetlights
- The Kiambu county government has migrated to solar energy to power the floodlights across the county
- Dubbed 'Angaza Kiambu' programme, the initiative has helped the county cut monthly electricity bills for streetlights running up to KSh 260 million annually
- The move is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7 of affordable and clean energy, which the county plans to embrace by 2030
Kiambu County Government has migrated from the national electricity grid street lights to solar-powered lights under Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s 'Angaza Kiambu' programme to cut monthly electricity bills for streetlights running up to KSh 260 million annually.
Source: Twitter
Wamatangi said installation has been ongoing since December last year, where lights have been installed in all the 60 wards.
Solar lights incur zero cost on the power bill since they rely on solar energy and have a life span of at least 10 years.
The move is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 7 of affordable and clean energy, which the county plans to embrace by 2030.
How has solar-powered lights helped Kiambu county?
Governor Kimani Wamatangi issued a directive last year prohibiting new installations of electricity-powered streetlights and ordering the replacement of existing ones.
Wamatang'i revealed that the county government has been incurring extremely high electricity costs, spending over KSh 1 billion annually.
Of this amount, county hospitals alone account for more than KSh 1.2 billion in power consumption, while street lighting costs stand at approximately KSh 260 million per year.
He also noted that these services often face disruptions due to frequent power outages, disconnections arising from unpaid electricity bills, and issues related to low voltage.
In response to these challenges and to reduce long-term electricity expenses, the county—through the Directorate of Public Utilities and the Department of Urban and Municipal Administration—undertook a major shift toward renewable energy.
It procured nearly 12,000 solar-powered streetlights, which have now been fully installed across all the 60 wards in Kiambu County.
According to the governor, the installation of solar-powered streetlights is a significant step toward enhancing energy efficiency, reducing operational costs, and ensuring uninterrupted lighting services across the county.
Source: Twitter
In other news, the tiff between Governor Wamatangi and some of the lawmakers from the county seems to be far from over as they scramble for projects.
Which project is Thika MP feuding over with county govt?
Thika MP Alice Ng'ang'a set yet another stage for a political fight after commissioning a market project that is under the purview of the county government.
The MP said to be eyeing the Kiambu governorship in 2027, commissioned the construction of the Ngoliba ESP Market, presenting it as her initiative.
This is despite the same market being among the projects that Kiambu county government has earmarked for construction.
A tender notice seen by TUKO.co.ke shows Ngoliba Market among projects the county government invited bids for on September 20, 2024.
The tender number for this project was CGKK/TITI/MARKETS/008/2024/2025.
The deadline for submission of the bid was October 1, 2024.
According to a county official who spoke to TUKO.co.ke on condition of anonymity, the tender was awarded to Brycea General Company Limited on February 6, 2025.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
