The Kenyan Ministry of Health has rolled out an ambitious strategy centered on the solarisation of off-grid medical facilities. Unveiled as part of the broader Kenya Climate Change and Health Strategy (2024–2029), the initiative aims to bridge critical energy gaps in remote and underserved regions, particularly across arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
Rose Mokaya, Assistant Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, highlighted the urgency of the intervention during a recent science café hosted by Media for Environment, Science, Health and Agriculture (MESHA). According to Mokaya, more than half of all healthcare facilities located in off-grid areas currently lack dependable electricity, severely hampering the delivery of life-saving medical services.
To combat this, the government—spearheaded jointly by the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Health through the National Solarisation of Public Hospitals initiative—is equipping medical centers with advanced rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems. This shift not only guarantees a steady, uninterrupted power supply but also drastically cuts down operational expenditures previously spent on costly diesel for backup generators.
The lack of reliable grid power has historically compromised healthcare delivery in Kenya’s marginalized frontiers. With the new solarisation drive, hospitals and clinics can maintain a continuous flow of electricity essential for high-stakes medical infrastructure. This includes keeping oxygen support systems running, operating mechanical ventilators reliably, and ensuring proper vaccine refrigeration units remain at optimal temperatures without risk of spoilage.
A significant catalyst for this infrastructure rollout is international financial backing, most notably from the World Bank. The global institution is funding the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP), which is instrumental in supplying the necessary hardware and energy frameworks across 14 target counties. These underserved regions include Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Samburu, Tana River, Baringo, Kajiado, West Pokot, Laikipia, and Kitui.
Beyond energy access, the Ministry of Health is tackling another major environmental and public health hazard: healthcare waste disposal. Improper disposal methods—such as dumping hazardous medical waste in open landfills, water bodies, or along roadsides—have long posed a threat to communities and ecosystems.
To address this, the ministry is implementing the Sustainable Clean Energy Transition, introducing innovative “non-burn” technologies that utilize microwaving and shredding instead of traditional incineration. Unlike burning, these modern alternatives produce zero greenhouse gas emissions, aligning perfectly with the medical sector’s guiding principle of “first, do no harm.”
The implementation is rolling out in strategic phases. The first phase successfully equipped facilities across 10 counties, including Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Kisii, Machakos, Kakamega, Embu, Mombasa, Nyeri, and Nairobi. The initiative is currently in its second phase, targeting an additional 15 counties.
To maximize efficiency, the ministry is utilizing a “pooled system.” Instead of installing expensive machinery at every single clinic, waste from smaller surrounding health facilities is collected and transported to a central regional facility equipped with industrial microwave shredders.
