Kenya turns to solar power to cut water costs by 90pc in parched Ukambani

Residents of Vulieni village in Makueni county at a borehole site earmarked under the government's solar-powered water project targeting 150,000 people across Lower Eastern counties. [Bernard Orwongo, Standard]

The government is deploying solar-powered pumping systems across 15 water projects in the Lower Eastern region to cut operational costs by more than 90 per cent and supply water to at least 150,000 residents.

The Tanathi Water Works Development Agency (TAWDA) is implementing the projects across Makueni, Machakos and Kitui counties, where remote terrain and limited access to the national power grid have long driven up the cost of water production and distribution.