Powering the Future: President Ruto Launches Landmark KSh45 Billion School Solarisation Programme

In a major push towards sustainable development and climate action, President William Ruto has launched an ambitious KSh45 billion programme to solarise 3,200 schools across Kenya. The announcement was made on Sunday, March 1, 2026, during the centenary celebrations of the prestigious Alliance High School in Kikuyu Constituency .

The Head of State termed the initiative “significant and consequential,” highlighting its potential to transform the education sector while contributing to the country’s green energy goals .

From Firewood to Megawatts: A Green Transition

President Ruto Launches Landmark KSh45 Billion School Solarisation Programme: Transforming Education

For decades, many Kenyan schools, especially those in rural areas, have relied heavily on firewood and charcoal for their cooking needs—a practice that contributes significantly to deforestation. The new solarisation programme aims to change this by transitioning learning institutions from biomass to solar power for cooking, lighting, and other energy needs .

Beyond environmental conservation, the project is a financial game-changer. By generating their own power, schools will drastically cut their electricity costs, freeing up resources that can be redirected to improving the quality of education .

Speaking at the event, President Ruto emphasized the project’s scale. “With the pilot project carried out in 266 schools complete, we are now going to roll out the programme. In the next one year or so, we should have solarised all our schools,” he stated .

Key Details of the Solarisation Project

Based on the announcements, here are the critical takeaways from the programme:

• Investment: The government has committed KSh45 billion to the nation-wide rollout .
• Scope: A total of 3,200 schools are targeted for solarisation, building on a successful pilot programme that covered 266 institutions .
• Implementation: The programme is a joint effort by the Ministries of Education and Energy, in partnership with the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) . KCB has extended a credit facility with a 30 per cent discount to facilitate the project .
• Energy Generation: Once fully implemented, the project is expected to generate an impressive 780 megawatts of electricity.

What Happens to the Power During School Holidays?

A common question regarding such large-scale energy projects is what happens to the power when schools are closed. President Ruto addressed this concern directly. He directed the Ministry of Energy to purchase any surplus electricity generated during school holidays and feed it into the national grid.

“My instructions to the Ministry of Energy is that you buy that electricity even if it is at a discount,” the President said, ensuring that schools can generate additional resources for infrastructure development even when students are away .

A Broader Commitment to Climate Action

This initiative is a cornerstone of Kenya’s broader commitment to climate action and forest conservation. By reducing reliance on firewood, the programme aims to lower the country’s carbon footprint and promote green energy within public sector infrastructure .

KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director, Annastacia Kimtai, who was present at the launch, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to the cause. She noted that KCB is leveraging its financial expertise to unlock new investment in the sector, ensuring that solarisation growth is both sustainable and inclusive .

More Support for Alliance Schools

The centenary celebration was also marked by significant infrastructural pledges for the host institution and its sister school. President Ruto announced a total of KSh550 million for the revamping of Alliance High School and Alliance Girls High School.

This includes:

• KSh155 million for a 640-bed dormitory at Alliance Girls High School.
• KSh100 million for the completion of the science complex at Alliance Girls.
• KSh40 million for 24 classrooms and KSh60 million for a sports academy at Alliance High School .

Looking Ahead

As Kenya continues to position itself as a leader in renewable energy, the school solarisation programme stands out as a multi-faceted solution. It addresses environmental sustainability, reduces operational costs for schools, and even adds capacity to the national grid.

With the pilot already a success and financing in place, the next year will be crucial as the nation watches this ambitious project light the way for millions of students.