President William Ruto has announced the launch of a Ksh45 billion solar project set to be rolled out across Kenya in a bid to promote access to clean energy and mitigate climate change. Speaking during the 100-year celebration of Alliance High School on Sunday, March 1, the president said that the project is aimed at benefiting over 3,000 schools across the country.

Transition to Clean Energy in Schools

President Ruto noted that the project will be fundamental in ensuring that schools nationwide have access to clean energy for cooking, lighting and other energy needs.

“I have come here to launch a very significant and consequential project. As you all know, I’m championing matters to do with climate change, and we are deliberately beginning to reduce our carbon footprint and reduce our biomass.”

President William Ruto

He added, “Today here at Alliance, we are launching a Ksh45 billion programme to solarise 3000 schools and enable them to stop cutting trees and use solar. This programme is being undertaken by the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Education, and in partnership with other partners in the banking sector.”

The pilot phase of the project was conducted in over 200 schools and is expected to expand to other institutions within the next year, generating 780 megawatts of energy in total. President Ruto also moved to address concerns about surplus power during school holidays, instructing the Ministry of Energy to purchase the excess energy, even at a discount, ensuring schools could use the revenue to develop other infrastructure.

Broader Renewable Energy Push

The announcement comes as institutions across Kenya intensify efforts to transition from conventional energy sources to cleaner and more cost-effective alternatives. Earlier this year, Cooperative University of Kenya confirmed that it received approval from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority for the Ksh6.45 billion Solar Plant Project. The project, revealed by the university chancellor, Benard William Chitunga, is expected to generate 40 megawatts of electricity for the national grid, making it the first university in the country to supply power on such a scale.

“We are doing operational innovative financing where we are getting a partner, Dahai Shandong China.”

Benard William Chitunga, Chancellor – Cooperative University of Kenya

Chitunga said the project will be implemented in partnership with Dahai Shandong, which will finance, construct and operate the solar power plant for an agreed period before handing it over to the university.