Kenya’s Energy Landscape Strengthens as Hydropower Output Surges and Government Expands Renewables to Remote Communities

CS Opiyo Wandayi’s commissioning of the Takawiri Island solar project marks a turning point for the remote fishing and tourism community that has endured decades of limited and costly generator power.

The project fulfills a pledge by President William Ruto to deliver sustainable energy solutions to Lake Victoria’s islands, offering residents clean, affordable electricity that will extend business hours, improve service delivery, and unlock new economic opportunities. Schools, health facilities, and hospitality enterprises on the island are expected to benefit significantly from the shift to solar.

Wandayi positioned the project as part of a broader national agenda to close the energy access gap, aligning it with ongoing initiatives on the mainland—particularly the Ndori Electrification Project in central Siaya. Ndori has rapidly expanded grid access to thousands of households, connecting public institutions and stimulating growth in agro-processing, retail, and digital services.

A Coordinated, Territory-Wide Strategy Emerges

Taken together, the Takawiri solar rollout and Ndori grid expansion signal a deliberate blended approach to energy access: deploying decentralised renewable solutions for off-grid islands while strengthening grid infrastructure across rural mainland regions. This model ensures that geography no longer dictates access to modern power.

Wandayi emphasised that electrification is not only an infrastructure project but a catalyst for economic transformation.

“As Takawiri’s solar array powers homes and businesses—and as expanded grid access in Ndori fuels trade and services—the county is entering a new phase of energy-driven growth,” he said.

The convergence of KenGen’s strong hydropower output with government-led last-mile electrification reflects an energy sector aligned around affordability, resilience, and inclusivity. Large-scale renewable generation is stabilising national supply, while targeted interventions are bringing light to communities once considered too remote or costly to serve.

As demand continues to grow alongside economic activity, both KenGen and the Ministry of Energy indicate that momentum will carry into the coming months—driven by capital investment, digital optimisation, watershed conservation, and community-centered electrification strategies.

Kenya’s broader energy narrative is becoming increasingly clear: a commitment to reliability today, and a deliberate build-out of a renewable, equitable, and economically competitive power system for the future.