By Shaban Omar
Access to electricity remains limited in the interior parts of Kwale County, leaving thousands of households reliant on traditional and often harmful energy sources.
The Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) is now stepping up efforts to change this reality, targeting underserved regions with clean and affordable energy solutions.
Kwale is among 14 counties set to benefit from the initiative, which aims to connect 300,000 households through solar home systems, solar-powered community boreholes and 114 mini-grids across the country.
The project is funded by the World Bank and the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Energy, and implemented by Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
KOSAP County Renewable Energy Officer, Salama Mwafrika, said implementation is underway in several parts of Kwale, with early signs of improved household energy access.
Speaking during a media training in Kwale on Monday, Mwafrika urged residents to adopt clean energy technologies.
She noted that continued reliance on paraffin lanterns, firewood and other traditional fuels has led to long-term health complications, particularly for women who spend more time cooking.
“This project has a component of clean cooking that seeks to promote modern cooking solutions to improve general health and development,” she said.
Mwafrika said the government is working with accredited partners to distribute improved cooking jikos that emit less carbon and use less fuel.
She added that the cleaner technologies are expected to reduce respiratory illnesses linked to smoke exposure and help conserve the environment by lowering dependence on firewood and charcoal.
She said that expanding clean energy access will also support economic activities, enhance security in rural areas and boost digital connectivity.
Mwafrika said awareness campaigns targeting women are ongoing to encourage uptake of efficient cooking solutions.
She said the project has established quality assurance measures to ensure service providers deliver durable and reliable products.
“We have put stringent quality assurance measures in place to ensure that all service providers deliver durable and reliable clean energy products,” Mwafrika said.
