By SHABAN MAKOKHA
April 2, 2026| For many years, Margaret Maloba from Khwisero sub-county and thousands of other residents relied on seasonal streams and unreliable water points. During dry spells, children frequently arrived late for school after helping their parents fetch water before sunrise.
The rollout of solar-powered water projects across several wards in Kakamega County has dramatically reduced that burden. By cutting the distance, trips, and time spent walking, these projects are easing daily workloads and freeing up time for education, business, and rest.
“With this connection, our mornings have changed completely,” Maloba said. “My grandchildren can now start their day with dignity.”
Kakamega County is now scaling up solar-powered water initiatives to drive the ‘Amatsi Khumuliango’ (water at the doorstep) agenda, marking a new era of reliability, sustainability, and household dignity. The county leadership has accelerated the expansion of these projects in a bold effort to deliver clean, dependable water closer to thousands of residents.
For Kakamega, the sun is no longer just a natural resource—it has become a partner in development, powering the water systems that sustain families and shape the future.
With flagship installations now operational in Shitoli, Lubanga, Koyonzo, Iranda, and Misango, the county is positioning itself as a national leader in renewable-energy-driven water provision. After years of grappling with inconsistent supply, costly pumping, and unreliable power, communities across the county are witnessing transformative change as solar energy becomes the backbone of water distribution.
Through multimillion-shilling investments in solar infrastructure, Kakamega is reducing the cost of water production and guaranteeing uninterrupted pumping even during peak demand hours. Large solar fields power high-capacity borehole pumps that feed elevated storage tanks and an expanding distribution network. With solar energy slashing electricity costs, the projects deliver water more affordably and consistently than ever before.
In villages once accustomed to dry taps, residents agree that the steady flow of water has become a symbol of progress—and a relief long overdue. Vendors say the project has breathed new life into small businesses.
At Shitoli, the crown jewel of the county’s renewable water push, a 120kW solar-powered Sh212 million water project now serves 45,000 residents across Ikolomani and neighbouring areas. The rehabilitated project is set to provide 3.5 million litres daily, significantly improving water supply, reducing waterborne diseases, and supporting small-scale irrigation and other economic activities. It includes a new 18.3km distribution line serving Sigalagala, Museno, Khayega, Iguhu, Ikolomani, Musingu, and Malinya.
Speaking during a groundbreaking ceremony joined by President William Ruto, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa expressed optimism that the 120-kilowatt project will expand access to clean and reliable water for residents of Ikolomani, Shinyalu, and surrounding areas.
The Misango Water Project is actively powering last-mile household connections across Khwisero. Households that once relied on unsafe sources or spent hours fetching water are now celebrating a new chapter. The system, driven entirely by solar energy, guarantees affordable service by lowering operational costs—savings that directly benefit residents.
Local leaders say the project reflects the county’s commitment to ensuring no home is left behind under the Amatsi Khumuliango vision.
Walter Mukungu, a former chief, says residents no longer experience interruptions in their daily routines.
“Initially, many residents, especially women and children, would interrupt their work to search for water. This project has stabilized their days,” Mukungu said.
According to the administrator, women and school-going children—traditionally responsible for water collection—stand to benefit most.
“Before this project, many young girls often missed class to queue at water points. This is no longer the case, as schools are getting connected to piped water,” he pointed out.
For many households, the simple sound of water flowing from a tap has become a moment of joy and relief—testimony to the transformative power of sustainable infrastructure. Residents say the newfound stability is improving daily life in immediate and profound ways: cleaner homes, safer food preparation, healthier children, and thriving small enterprises.
For 42-year-old Margaret Maloba, the impact is deeply personal. “For the first time, water flows at my doorstep,” she said. “My daughters no longer miss school, and we live with dignity. This is development we can touch.”
Other solarised water projects include Lubanga, commissioned to serve Matungu sub-county with a capacity of 44,800 litres daily; Iranda in Butere sub-county, designed to serve over 2,500 households; and solar-powered shallow wells in Kholera and Koyonzo, providing reliable, sustainable water for local consumption and small-scale irrigation.
The projects tap into renewable energy through advanced solar panel arrays that power high-capacity borehole pumps. This technology allows water to be pumped efficiently throughout the day without reliance on expensive electricity or diesel generators.
Engineers involved in the rollout say the strategic shift is reshaping how rural water systems operate.
“Solar power ensures efficiency, reliability, and sustainability—three things that used to be difficult to guarantee using grid electricity alone,” said Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company managing director, Eng Michael Ogol. “It is the future of community water supply.”
Today, the solar-powered pumping systems provide reliable, continuous supply to homes, local health facilities, schools, and small-scale farmers. Local health facilities report improvements in hygiene standards, particularly in maternal and child health units, where reliable water is essential.
County officials highlight several advantages of the solar-driven approach: lower operational costs compared to grid power or diesel pumps, environmental sustainability through clean energy, reliable uninterrupted water supply, extended lifespan of water infrastructure, and improved household and community health.
Governor Barasa said the benefits justify the county’s deliberate investment in solarisation as the foundation of future water expansion.
“Our last-mile water connectivity program is gaining strong momentum. More solar-powered schemes are already under development, with a long-term goal of achieving universal clean water access across all wards,” the county boss said.
Small businesses—eateries, barber shops, laundry services, and vegetable vendors—are also projected to flourish as water becomes readily accessible. Local youth groups are being trained to support maintenance, ensuring that the project’s benefits stretch across generations. Farmers, too, are optimistic that access to water will boost kitchen gardens, livestock health, and food security.