Thousands of Solar Lights Brighten Life in Kiambu County

BY ANNEGRACE NJOKI

Kiambu governor Kimani Wamatangi has operationalised the solarization streetlighting in efforts to cut the huge power bills that have jeopardised the county’s development.

The County spends over a billion shillings on power bills annually, and the adoption of renewable energy is a strategic move, which will offer a massive relief to the county funds.

The move has also brightened the life of the residents who boast of enhanced security, increased business hours, and because of the deliberate attempt to cut the funding towards lighting.

The KES 400 million solar project, actualized in three phases, will include the solarization of the street lights across the county, and/or transitioning county-run hospitals from the national grid to solar, and also county offices.

“The residents of Kiambu have reported enhanced security, and extended business hours because of the solar lights. The non-reliance on the grid also rids the wards from constant blackouts, says Governor Wamatangi.

Governor Kimani Wamatangi Solar streetlighting in Kiambu Municipality

The street lighting program dubbed Angaza Kiambu will save county funds through a low maintenance cost, and their dependency on the naturally available sun and light. The solar lights are also more durable.

“The solar project aligns with the SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy,” said Governor Wamatangi. He was optimistic that Kiambu County could be the first in the region to go green, which was a measurable action towards climate change mitigation.

Solar streetlighting Kiambu Municipality

County Climate Change Director Ms. Esther Kaguima noted that the project was strategic in efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the globe.

The first phase included the installation and launch in Limuru, Githunguri, Juja, Ruiru, and Kiambu sub-counties. The residents lauded the county’s efforts to improve the business environment and also enhance security.

Peter Wakaba from Juja, Malaba area, said that the solar lights would help keep at bay wild animals, like the hyenas, which roamed the wards especially when darkness fell.

“It has been unsafe walking and working in the dark, particularly with the hyenas roaming around. This solar initiative is enhancing security and we can now extend our business hours,” he added.

Utilities Chief Officer Ms. Virginia Kahonge added that the project would enhance efficiency as the constant disruptions on the national grid due to owed bills would reduce. “While we are gradually moving towards solar energy, the power cuts due to unsustainable power bills will be a thing of the past,” she noted.

Transforming Kikuyu through #AngazaKiambu Solar Streetlighting

By Marion Kanari

Senior Public Communications Officer

As the world embraces renewable energy to save the planet from the effects of climate change, Kiambu County is not left behind.

One of the county’s key flagship projects is the adoption of solar energy, a significant shift in operations geared towards sustainability on all fronts.

The Department of Public Works and Utilities has rolled out phase one of the ambitious #AngazaKiambu program, which involves installing over 60 solar streetlights per ward in the 12 Sub Counties totaling 4,000.

Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration

On this second week of February 2025, Governor Kimani Wamatangi led the launching of solar streetlights in the five wards of Kikuyu Municipality, where he noted that phase two and three of the program would be launched in March and May 2025 respectively.

The Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration will have installed 10,000 solar streetlights in the three phases of the Angaza Kiambu Program.

“We have phased out the installation of the solar streetlights to strategically light up as many areas as possible,” said Governor Wamatangi.

While reiterating Governor Wamatangi’s sentiments, local MCAs hailed the program citing improved security and ease of doing business for the residents.

Chief Officer Public Works & Utilities Virginia Kahonge noted that installation works had been completed in seven (7) municipalities, and phase one would be completed by mid-March 2025.

Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration

The lights installed along critical areas as guided by area residents are distributed as follows in Kikuyu Municipality:

Karai Ward;-

Rio Nderi Kagiria Rd
Muhuri road
Thiru Njiwa Rd

Nachu Ward;-

Shell Petrol Station – Nachu Primary School Rd
Kianjage Rd
Kiagatta Past Lusigetti hospital
Lenguti High School Kanyayo
Jambu TV area

Sigona Ward

Gikira access Rd
Gachuti Rd
Wega Banda Homes
Gitau Thamanda Rd

Kinoo Ward

Kangoro Rd
Kinoo PCEA area
Kariango area

Kikuyu Ward

Kidfarmaco highland
Link Rd
Thogoto Ndaire Rd
Kianda Kia Reli
St Teresa

The Solar streetlights, which are county-specific and custom-made have improved lighting and enhanced safety, require minimal and less frequent maintenance in comparison to the grid-connected lights, have a reduced carbon footprint, and use solar energy.

The public funds saved from the paying high power bills would be channeled to development projects, and other critical areas of the County to spur economic development.

County Assembly Majority Leader MCA Godfrey Muceke lauded the #AngazaKiambu initiative as one of a kind saying the administration had outdone previous governments in the implementation of impactful projects.

The County’s shift to clean energy was necessitated by unsustainable power and maintenance bills for the existing 20,428 grid-connected lights, boreholes, hospitals, county premises, and other operations.

The County has an annual estimated power bill of over KES. 1.4B which stems from its 120 hospitals, 19,000 Streetlights, County offices and fire stations.

Under the directive by Governor Wamatangi, community boreholes are also being solarized, and BQs for new county buildings now require solar lighting.

Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration