How Kenya Doubled Its Electricity Access in Just 10 Years

Could you imagine life without electricity? Just two decades ago, Rose Mutiso didn’t have to imagine, it was her reality. Growing up in Nairobi, evenings often meant sitting by flickering candlelight, unable to watch TV or study comfortably. Fast forward to today, and power outages feel like distant memories to Mutiso, who now heads research at the Energy for Growth Hub.

In just 10 years, Kenya doubled its electricity access, from only 37% in 2013 to a remarkable 79% in 2023, according to a recent International Energy Agency report. This didn’t happen overnight, nor was it a stroke of luck. Instead, Kenya’s transformation showcases a powerful blend of innovation, resourcefulness, and dedicated community action.

Lighting Up the Toughest Neighborhoods

The most dramatic progress took place in informal urban settlements. Back in 2010, these neighborhoods had less electricity than even rural areas, largely because authorities struggled to provide infrastructure in these densely packed communities. But in 2014, Kenya Power embraced a bold, community-first approach, tripling the connections in slums in less than a decade. Today, nearly every urban Kenyan, even in the toughest neighborhoods, can flip a switch and see the lights come on.

Harnessing Nature’s Energy

Part of Kenya’s success comes from nature itself. Kenya sits atop geothermal hotspots, enjoys steady sunshine, strong winds, and powerful rivers, all perfect for renewable energy. Around 90% of Kenya’s electricity now comes from geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar sources, giving it a powerful lead in global green energy initiatives.

But the true hero might be the humble solar panel. Kenya is the world’s largest market for off-grid solar energy solutions, empowering countless households with entry-level products like solar lamps and fans. Innovative financial schemes like pay-as-you-go made owning these life-changing gadgets possible for millions of Kenyans for the first time.

Women at the Forefront

Beyond lighting homes, Kenya prioritized gender equity. Projects such as the Last Mile Connectivity specifically targeted female-headed households and public institutions, ensuring women and girls could study, work, and live more safely. Initiatives like electric cooking projects significantly reduced harmful smoke inhalation from traditional wood stoves, directly benefiting women’s health and freeing their time from fetching firewood.

Still Miles to Go

Despite the gains, Mutiso admits, the hardest part is yet to come. Getting to full electrification and eliminating harmful cooking fuels remains tough. Currently, only 31% of Kenyans use clean cooking technologies, and electricity prices remain high, placing a heavy burden on low-income families.

Additionally, ensuring stable electricity for businesses and industries poses a significant hurdle. Reliability issues mean that many Kenyans still rely on costly backup power sources.

Yet, Kenya’s leaders remain ambitious. Their roadmap aims for 100% electricity access by 2030 and full renewable generation by 2035. These aren’t just dreams, they’re achievable targets backed by concrete plans and international partnerships.

Global Lessons from Kenya

Kenya’s story isn’t just a local success; it offers valuable lessons globally. It shows that significant change doesn’t always come from huge, costly projects. Often, the best solutions come from local innovation, tailored financing, and community involvement.

The path forward isn’t without its bumps. With international aid decreasing and global economic uncertainties growing, Kenya faces financial challenges in its push to full electrification. Still, the spirit of innovation that brought Kenya this far promises continued success.

As Rose Mutiso puts it, the journey ahead might be tough, but Kenya’s recent history proves the extraordinary power of ordinary actions. Small efforts combined have already transformed the nation.

Could Kenya’s approach offer a blueprint for other countries aiming to turn simple acts into monumental change?