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Solar keeps lights, phones on for rural Kenyans during pandemic blackouts

Lucyline Wanja Silas’ children studying in their living room in Gakunga village on June 10, 2020. [Thomson Reuters Foundation]

When Lucyline Wanja Silas installed a 12-volt solar power unit at her home to help her children study at night, little did she know it would become essential to her and her neighbours in Gakunga village, central Kenya, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Wanja, a 48-year-old farm worker, said she had not made any money since the country's lockdown started in March, but the solar photovoltaic (PV) unit she purchased in January means she no longer needs to buy kerosene for lamplight.

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