Kenyans in remote regions are increasingly turning to solar power as a response to unreliable electricity, rising energy costs, and the urgent need to adapt to climate change. While global leaders present climate proposals on international stages, local communities in Kenya are quietly leading their own clean energy revolution, one rooftop at a time.
Across northern Kenya, in areas like Wajir and Mandera, the impacts of climate change are no longer a distant threat. They’re a daily reality, from erratic weather patterns to long periods of drought that make traditional livelihoods harder to sustain. In response, residents are making bold energy choices that reflect both economic necessity and environmental consciousness.
One of those leading this charge is Mohammed Hassan, who operates a private hospital in Wajir. After months of dealing with power rationing and constant outages, Hassan turned to a fully solar-powered system. For the last six months, his hospital has run uninterrupted on solar energy, a critical lifeline for medical services that depend on stable electricity to power laboratory machines, lighting, and refrigeration.
“Solar helps keep the machines running,” Hassan explains. “We haven’t had to stop operations because of blackouts, unlike many of our neighbors.”
- The Rise of the Solar Entrepreneur
While institutions like hospitals show the reliability of solar energy, individuals are also exploring solar as a personal and business investment. Abdullahi Jama, another resident of Wajir, is among the many Kenyans browsing through solar products at local vendors, seeking batteries and panels to build his own power system.
“It’s a personal revolution,” Jama says. “You buy the panels, install them at home, and that’s it. No bills. It’s your own system.”
He also notes a growing interest among his community members, with many visiting him daily to inquire about solar energy, despite a lack of widespread understanding of how solar systems work. He often receives up to 20 clients a day, most of whom are curious but cautious about making the shift.
“There’s a gap in knowledge,” he admits. “Many people don’t fully understand how solar works, but they’re desperate for a better option.”
- Kenya Power’s Revenue Takes a Hit
The shift to solar isn’t without economic consequences for national utilities. As more Kenyans opt for green alternatives, Kenya Power is reportedly losing millions in revenue. The combined effect of frequent outages and escalating electricity tariffs has weakened consumer trust, pushing people to seek more reliable, cost-effective energy sources.
This trend presents a triple challenge: decreasing public utility revenues, increased pressure to modernize national energy infrastructure, and the urgent demand to educate citizens on sustainable energy use. But for consumers, especially in underserved regions, the decision is simple, affordability and reliability matter more.
- Solar as a Tool for Energy Justice
Currently, Mandera and Wajir are the only counties in Kenya not fully connected to the national power grid. Instead, these regions still rely on aging diesel generators operated by KenGen, generators that are noisy, polluting, and increasingly seen as outdated by the local population.
In places where the grid fails or doesn’t exist, solar energy is not just an alternative, it is the solution. Residents here are not waiting for national infrastructure to catch up. They’re building their own systems, panel by panel.
What makes solar even more appealing is its scalability. Families can start small, powering basic lighting or a single room, and gradually expand as their financial capacity grows. No need for complex installation processes or months of waiting. Solar is fast, flexible, and personal.
- Climate Change Sparks Local Action
While the international community debates policies on climate action at conferences in Brazil and beyond, the push for cleaner energy is already well underway in rural Kenya. Solar panels gleaming on rooftops in Wajir are not just symbols of innovation; they are signs of survival, of adaptation, and of grassroots climate resilience.
Climate change has hit Kenya hard, especially its arid and semi-arid regions. But the shift to solar is one of the most visible, hopeful responses to these challenges. It’s a story of people taking control of their own energy destiny, and finding freedom in doing so.
Also read: Why Are Investors Pouring Millions into Off-Grid Solar in Kenya?
Kenya’s energy future might not lie solely in massive infrastructure projects or centralized grid expansion. Instead, it could be found in small, distributed solar systems empowering homes, clinics, and businesses in every corner of the country, especially where national power has failed.
Green energy isn’t just a trend. In Kenya, it’s quickly becoming a necessity. And for places like Wajir and Mandera, it may be the key to unlocking development that’s equitable, sustainable, and locally driven.
As solar uptake accelerates and awareness grows, the call is clear: energy access should no longer be a privilege tied to geography. Clean, affordable, and reliable energy must be a right, and for thousands in Kenya’s remote counties, the sun is finally delivering that promise.
