Chuanshan International Mining Company has provided 160 solar panels and batteries to households in several Kenyan villages, in an effort to improve living standards and boost self-sufficiency in remote areas.
Solar Panels Transform Life in Baringo County
Doris Loruk Chepalat lives in a two-room semi-permanent house in Kenya’s arid northwest Baringo County. Her homestead is surrounded by sparse vegetation, a stark reminder of the region’s prolonged dry spell.
At 40 years old, Chepalat, her husband, and their five children depend on subsistence farming and goat herding for their livelihood. Until recently, with no connection to the national grid, Chepalat’s family had no modern appliances and had to walk long distances just to charge their mobile phones. “We have to walk far to the market centre just to charge our phones,” Chepalat explained.
But on Thursday, her situation improved dramatically when her family and several other villagers received a donation of 160 solar panels and batteries. The initiative is a collaboration between the Chinese firm Chuanshan International Mining Company, the Shandong Provincial Government, and the Afridge Development Plan.
Empowering the Community and Improving Life Quality
Technicians from Chuanshan International installed a solar panel on Chepalat’s roof, which now allows her family to power two light bulbs, a radio, and their phones with solar energy. Chepalat is hopeful her children will be able to study late into the night, something she believes will improve their academic performance.
A solar panel installed by Chuanshan International powers Chepalat’s home, improving her family’s quality of life and supporting her children’s education.
Han Ke, general manager of Chuanshan International, said the donation is part of the company’s broader initiative to empower remote communities and improve their quality of life. Li Hong, deputy director-general of the Shandong Provincial Foreign Affairs Office, noted that Shandong Province has developed a friendly cooperative relationship with Baringo County since last year.
Through their interactions, they learned that many residents lacked electricity, which caused daily inconveniences. Li explained that donating solar power equipment aims to address these needs and help Kenyans achieve greater self-sufficiency. He also believes it will deepen the cooperation between Shandong Province and Baringo County and enhance mutual understanding between the two regions.
Providing Off-Grid Solutions
Another beneficiary, Edgar Siywat, received a solar power kit for his household of three. The 28-year-old motorbike taxi operator spoke about the challenges posed by Baringo’s remoteness. Connecting to the national grid is prohibitively expensive, a reality that has diminished his family’s quality of life. Without electricity, they lacked access to television and other sources of information.
A local administrator, Johannes Ogola, pointed out that while Kenya’s national electricity penetration is around 75 percent, residents in remote areas have to rely on off-grid solutions like solar panels. Ogola added that the government supports efforts by international partners to bring electricity to rural communities through innovative solutions such as solar power.
Another recipient, Gilbert Korinyang, expressed his gratitude for the donation. The 31-year-old casual labourer said the solar panels would replace the kerosene lamp his household had been using. He explained that spending less on kerosene each month would free up more money to support his two children. Switching to solar energy will also help them avoid the indoor pollution caused by kerosene lamps.
The solar panels not only bring practical benefits but also promise to improve the quality of life in these remote villages. As Kenya continues to explore renewable energy solutions, such international partnerships offer a beacon of hope for many families living in off-grid areas.
