Thirteen arid counties to benefit from solar lamp project

Kenya Power will implement a Government plan to procure and distribute 24,500 solar lanterns that will benefit 13 counties in arid and semi-arid areas, the Company’s Deputy Manager for Off-Grid Power Stations, Eng. Henry Gichungi has revealed.

Eng. Gichungi said the Government has obtained Shs.140 million (Euros 1.25 million) grant from Nordic Development Fund to finance the project and help provide lighting and basic energy service to Kenyans living in areas not served by electricity grid.

He said the Company has begun the procurement process for the solar lanterns including purchase of 840 solar charging systems and a prepaid system software. Counties expected to benefit from the project include Turkana, Wajir, Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, Homa Bay, Lamu, Tana River, Meru, Embu, Samburu, Baringo and Mandera.

In the arrangement, appointed agents operating in selected villages will distribute the solar lanterns on rental basis and manage central prepaid solar charging systems to be installed in their premises.

“Community members will be required to register with the agent to borrow the lanterns at a daily fee of Shs.10. About 30% of the fee will be used as commission for the agents offering the service with the balance forwarded via mobile money transfer to the project office at Kenya Power for maintenance and expansion of the project to other deserving areas,” he said.

The Company has previously distributed a total of 435 solar lanterns to three schools in Turkana, Wajir and Isiolo counties at a combined cost of Shs.2.8 million as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility.

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For more information, contact:
Kenya Power Corporate Communications Dept.
Tel. 3201622/39or/47
E-mail communications@kenyapower.co.ke