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

Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration

Solar streetlighting in Kikuyu under the Governor Kimani Wamatangi administration