The Government of Kenya, together with the European Union (EU) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), has launched the second phase of the Green Mini-Grid (GMG) Programme in Turkana County, reinforcing efforts to expand electricity access in remote and underserved communities.
The commissioning ceremony brought together senior government officials, development partners, and private-sector stakeholders, including EU Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger, French Ambassador to Kenya Arnaud Suquet, AFD Kenya Country Director Anne-Gaël Chapuis, Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, and representatives from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
Speaking during the event, Ambassador Geiger said the programme demonstrates the impact that can be achieved when governments, development institutions, and private developers work together toward a shared objective. She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s transition to clean, secure, and inclusive energy systems through the Global Gateway and Team Europe initiatives. French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet said the project reflects the long-standing partnership between France, the EU and Kenya in expanding access to reliable and affordable electricity. He noted that the initiative contributes to Kenya’s Vision 2030 goal of achieving universal electricity access.
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Project’s benefits
AFD Kenya Country Director Anne-Gaël Chapuis said the successful implementation of the project underscores the transformative role renewable energy can play in improving livelihoods, stimulating local economies and supporting sustainable development. Launched in 2016, the Green Mini-Grid Programme was designed to attract private investment into renewable-energy mini-grids serving off-grid and underserved communities. To date, the initiative has facilitated the development of 80 mini-grids across Turkana, Siaya, Homa Bay, Nyamira, Kisii, Busia, Kajiado and Kericho counties.
The programme has added approximately 2MW of clean energy capacity, created 20,000 new electricity connections and expanded access to power for an estimated 100,000 people. Funding for the initiative totals approximately US $17.4M, with about US $12.1M provided through the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) under the first phase and approximately US $6.6M contributed by the European Union for the second phase.
AFD has overseen implementation, while KUDURA Power East Africa, Renewvia Energy, PowerGen and Powerhive were selected as project developers. In Turkana County alone, KUDURA Power East Africa and Renewvia Energy have established 27 mini-grids, delivering around 7,000 connections and extending electricity access to an estimated 35,000 residents.
The programme’s impact extends beyond household electrification. Communities have reported increased business activity, including the growth of bakeries, milling enterprises and metal fabrication workshops. Women-owned businesses have also expanded. Improved street lighting has enhanced security, healthcare facilities have gained better capacity for medicine storage and service delivery, while schools have recorded improvements in enrolment and academic performance. The Green Mini-Grid Programme forms part of Kenya’s broader strategy to achieve universal electricity access by 2030 and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 7, which calls for affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
