From Darkness to Daylight: The Solar Switch Changing Kiambu County

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Kiambu County’s nightscape has been quietly transforming, with new pools of light appearing along roads, trading centres and public spaces.

Residents moving through once dark stretches now encounter brighter, more consistent illumination, while county officials point to broader changes underway beneath the surface changes touching on infrastructure planning, budgeting priorities and long-term sustainability.

For years, energy costs had been a persistent strain on the county’s finances. Annual electricity bills ran into hundreds of millions of shillings, driven largely by the extensive streetlighting network required to serve a fast growing population and expanding urban centres.

The burden limited the county’s ability to channel funds into other critical services, even as demand for lighting and public safety continued to rise.

That equation has begun to shift under Governor Kimani Wamatangi’s administration, following a decisive move to adopt solar power as a primary energy source for street lighting.

Kiambu has become the first county in Kenya to roll out solar energy at scale for this purpose, marking a significant policy shift toward renewable power in county governance.

Through the Angaza Kiambu programme, the county has already installed more than 12,000 solar streetlights across major roads, residential areas and commercial hubs.

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In addition, newly constructed bus parks have been fitted with solar powered lighting, ensuring round the clock visibility while reducing dependence on the national grid.

The transition has slashed electricity expenditure, with officials noting that streetlights alone had previously consumed about Ksh 250 million annually out of an overall electricity bill of roughly Ksh 700 million.

Beyond cost savings, county leaders say the programme is improving public safety, extending business hours and enhancing mobility at night.

Traders operating in illuminated areas report increased activity, while residents say the lighting has reduced insecurity in previously dark neighbourhoods.

The solar installations are also designed to be resilient, continuing to operate during power outages that would previously plunge entire areas into darkness.

The initiative is far from complete. The second phase of the Angaza Kiambu programme is already underway, with plans to install an additional 12,000 solar streetlights within the year.

Once completed, the county expects to achieve near-universal coverage in key public spaces, further reducing recurrent energy costs and carbon emissions.

As counties across Kenya grapple with rising energy expenses and climate concerns, Kiambu’s approach is drawing attention as a potential model.

By pairing fiscal discipline with clean energy investment, the county is positioning itself at the forefront of a shift that could redefine how local governments light their streets and manage their resources in the years ahead.