Nairobi: The Uasin Gishu county government 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 are currently implementing the Stima Mashinani and Transformer Maximization Program in collaboration with REREC. This initiative has 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.
According to Kenya News Agency, the second phase of the project is underway, targeting more homes, schools, and enterprises to ensure no household in the county remains in darkness. The deputy governor emphasized that energy is pivotal to development, from lighting villages to powering industries, and highlighted Uasin Gishu's leadership in this initiative.
The governor revealed that over the past three years, the county administration had installed more than 3,500 new streetlights in estates, markets, and villages. This effort has improved public safety, extended business hours, and enabled youth and women traders to work confidently at night.
The deputy governor stated their goal is to increase electricity connectivity in the region from the current 65 percent to 95 percent by 2030, to drive economic growth, promote entrepreneurship, and enable digital job creation. Uasin Gishu is currently leading in embracing green energy, with a solar system powering their headquarters, and plans to solarize security lights and sub-county offices are underway.
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 aims to achieve 98 percent 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, vibrant 24 hours a day.