Key Overview
- Eldoret solar PPP project valued at Ksh3.45 billion
- 3 MWac solar plant with battery storage to power public systems
- 12,000 new LED streetlights and 90 high-mast towers planned
- Project advances to contract negotiation stage
The National Treasury of Kenya is advancing a Ksh3.45 billion solar-powered street lighting project in Eldoret under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The initiative aims to improve energy efficiency, enhance safety, and support a 24-hour urban economy.
The project includes the development of a solar power plant with battery storage to ensure reliable and consistent energy supply for public infrastructure. It will also upgrade the city’s lighting network with thousands of new LED streetlights and high-mast towers, alongside the refurbishment of existing non-functional lights. Smart features such as CCTV integration and real-time monitoring systems are expected to improve security and operational efficiency. Over time, the initiative is positioned to transform Eldoret into a more sustainable, connected, and economically vibrant urban center.
Kenya Advances Smart Energy Project in Eldoret
The National Treasury of Kenya under President William Ruto’s administration has advanced a Ksh3.45 billion renewable energy project aimed at transforming public lighting and power systems in Eldoret. The initiative represents a major milestone in the city’s urban development journey, signaling a shift toward more sustainable, technology-driven infrastructure that aligns with both national and global climate objectives.
The project comes at a time when Kenyan cities are increasingly looking to modernize their infrastructure to accommodate rapid urbanization and economic growth. By integrating renewable energy into core municipal systems, the initiative positions Eldoret as a forward-looking city embracing innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. It also reflects broader government efforts to promote clean energy adoption while improving public service delivery.
Structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the project will bring together government institutions and private-sector investors to share responsibility for financing, development, and long-term operation. This collaborative model allows the government to leverage private capital and technical expertise, while ensuring that public interests are safeguarded through oversight and regulatory frameworks. PPPs are increasingly being used in large-scale infrastructure projects due to their ability to accelerate delivery timelines and improve operational efficiency.
At its core, the project seeks to integrate renewable energy into critical municipal systems, reducing reliance on grid electricity while improving efficiency, resilience, and reliability across the city. By shifting toward decentralized energy solutions, Eldoret can better manage its energy needs, reduce operational costs, and create a more adaptable infrastructure system capable of supporting future expansion.
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Solar Power and Storage at the Core
The project includes the development of a 3 MWac solar photovoltaic power plant integrated with a battery energy storage system (BESS), forming the central energy backbone of the initiative. This combination is designed to deliver a stable and sustainable power supply that can support key municipal operations while reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.
The inclusion of battery storage is particularly significant, as it addresses one of the main challenges associated with renewable energy—intermittency. By storing excess solar energy generated during the day, the system can provide consistent power during nighttime hours or periods of low generation. This ensures that essential services, especially public lighting, remain operational regardless of external conditions.
In addition to improving reliability, the integration of solar and storage enables more efficient energy management. The system can be optimized to respond to demand patterns, reducing energy waste and improving overall system performance. This is especially valuable in urban environments, where energy demand can fluctuate significantly throughout the day.
The solar plant will serve as the backbone of the initiative, supporting a broader transition toward decentralized and renewable-powered urban systems. Over time, such systems can reduce pressure on the national grid, enhance energy security, and contribute to long-term sustainability goals.
Transforming Urban Lighting Infrastructure
A key component of the project is the large-scale upgrade of Eldoret’s street lighting network, which is expected to have a direct and visible impact on daily life in the city. Existing grid-connected streetlights will be converted to solar power, reducing electricity consumption and lowering operational costs while improving reliability.
The plan includes the installation of approximately 12,000 new LED streetlights and 90 high-mast lighting towers strategically positioned across the municipality. These installations are designed to improve road visibility, enhance pedestrian safety, and support smoother traffic flow, particularly in busy commercial and residential areas.
In addition, more than 2,271 non-functional streetlights will be refurbished, restoring lighting coverage in areas that currently experience poor or inconsistent illumination. This ensures that the project addresses both expansion and rehabilitation, maximizing the effectiveness of existing infrastructure while introducing new capacity.
The transition to LED technology further enhances efficiency, as LED lights consume less energy and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional lighting systems. This reduces maintenance costs and improves overall system performance over time.
Taken together, these measures represent a comprehensive transformation of Eldoret’s urban lighting infrastructure—one that combines energy efficiency, cost savings, and improved public safety to create a more livable and economically vibrant city environment.
Integrating Smart and Connected Systems
Beyond basic lighting, the project introduces advanced smart-city features designed to significantly improve security, efficiency, and overall urban management. The new LED streetlights will incorporate adaptive lighting technology, allowing brightness levels to automatically adjust based on real-time conditions such as traffic flow, pedestrian movement, and time of day. This not only enhances visibility when needed but also optimizes energy consumption by reducing unnecessary usage.
In addition, the lighting infrastructure will be equipped with integrated CCTV cameras featuring facial recognition capabilities, strengthening surveillance and public safety across the city. These systems are expected to play a key role in crime prevention, incident response, and overall urban security management, particularly in high-traffic and commercial areas.
Supporting this ecosystem is a comprehensive fibre-optic network that will enable real-time monitoring, data transmission, and predictive maintenance. Through this network, city authorities will be able to track system performance, identify faults before they escalate, and respond more efficiently to operational challenges. The ability to collect and analyze data in real time also opens the door to more informed decision-making in urban planning and service delivery.
This integration of digital infrastructure transforms the project from a conventional lighting upgrade into a broader smart-city initiative. By combining energy, connectivity, and data-driven systems, Eldoret is positioning itself as a more connected, efficient, and technologically advanced urban center.
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Extending Renewable Energy to Public Infrastructure
In addition to upgrading street lighting, the project will extend solar power to key municipal infrastructure, including public buildings, traffic systems, parks, and other public facilities. This expansion ensures that the benefits of renewable energy go beyond lighting and contribute to a wider transformation of how the city powers its essential services.
By integrating solar energy into multiple sectors, the project improves overall efficiency while reducing operational costs associated with electricity consumption. Public institutions and facilities that rely heavily on power will benefit from more stable and predictable energy supply, helping to improve service delivery and reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity.
The inclusion of renewable energy in traffic systems and public spaces also enhances functionality and reliability, ensuring that critical infrastructure continues to operate even during power outages. This added resilience is particularly valuable in urban environments, where disruptions can have widespread economic and social impacts.
Such integration reflects a holistic approach to urban energy management—one that leverages clean energy to support a wide range of public services while building a more sustainable and resilient city infrastructure.
Project Progress and Strategic Partnerships
The Eldoret solar power and lighting upgrade project is being implemented by the Municipality of Eldoret, with the Uasin Gishu County Government serving as the contracting authority. This institutional framework ensures that the project is aligned with local development priorities while benefiting from structured oversight and coordination.
The project has progressed through several key approval stages. It received its first approval in November 2025, allowing it to proceed to feasibility and project development studies. These studies were essential in assessing technical, financial, and operational viability, laying the groundwork for subsequent phases.
In April 2026, the project secured a second approval, enabling it to advance to the contract negotiation stage under the PPP framework. This marks a critical milestone, as it brings the project closer to implementation and signals readiness to formalize agreements with private-sector partners.
Development is being carried out in partnership with Seko Aerospace U.S.A., alongside Seko Energy Inc. and Malel Power Company Limited as project proponents. These partnerships bring technical expertise and investment capacity, strengthening the project’s execution potential.
Overall, this progress reflects strong institutional backing and coordinated efforts across stakeholders, positioning the initiative as a flagship project in Kenya’s push toward smart, sustainable urban development.
Driving Economic Growth and Urban Transformation
The project comes nearly two years after Eldoret was elevated to city status, becoming Kenya’s fifth city after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru. As a newly designated city, Eldoret is actively positioning itself for accelerated growth, modernization, and increased economic competitiveness within the region.
This transition to city status has heightened the need for improved infrastructure and service delivery, particularly in areas such as energy, transport, and public safety. The solar-powered lighting project is therefore not just a standalone initiative, but part of a broader effort to upgrade urban systems and align the city with modern development standards.
According to local authorities, the impact of the project is expected to be immediate and far-reaching. Improved street lighting is projected to enhance public safety by reducing crime and increasing visibility in both residential and commercial areas. Well-lit streets can also improve pedestrian confidence and mobility, making public spaces more accessible and secure.
Brighter and more reliable lighting is also expected to support the development of a 24-hour economy. By extending business operating hours and enabling nighttime economic activity, the project could help boost local commerce, create employment opportunities, and stimulate overall economic growth. Over time, these improvements may contribute to increased investment and a stronger urban economy.
Outlook: A Step Toward Smart, Sustainable Cities
Eldoret’s Ksh3.45 billion solar project represents more than just an infrastructure upgrade—it signals a broader shift toward smart, sustainable urban development in Kenya. By combining renewable energy with digital technologies, the initiative reflects an integrated approach to building cities that are both efficient and future-ready.
In the near term, the focus will be on successful contract negotiations and the transition into implementation. Ensuring timely execution, effective coordination between public and private partners, and adherence to project timelines will be critical in translating plans into tangible outcomes.
As the project progresses, attention will also be placed on operational efficiency, system performance, and the ability to deliver consistent benefits across the city. This includes maintaining infrastructure, optimizing energy use, and ensuring that smart systems function effectively over the long term.
Over the longer term, the initiative has the potential to serve as a model for other cities in Kenya and across Sub-Saharan Africa. It demonstrates how renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and public-private collaboration can be combined to address urban challenges while promoting sustainability.
If successfully delivered, the project could position Eldoret as a leading example of a modern, connected, and sustainable city—where energy efficiency, safety, and innovation come together to drive inclusive and long-term urban growth.
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