By Eldoret Leo 
The National Treasury has approved a Sh345 billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project for a solar power plant and modern street lighting system in Eldoret marking one of the largest energy-linked investments tied to the city’s growth.
The project will integrate solar power generation with a large-scale rollout of solar-powered street lighting, aligning Eldoret with Kenya’s clean energy transition and smart city ambitions. While the electricity generated will feed into the national grid, this is standard for utility-scale power projects and not a structural flaw.
In fact, Eldoret already hosts grid-connected solar plants such as Eldosol Solar Power Station and Radiant Solar Power Station, both of which contribute power nationally rather than locally. The new project follows this same model.
The real value, therefore, lies in the secondary economic and urban benefits.
Large PPP projects of this scale typically create hundreds of jobs during construction and ongoing roles in maintenance, security, and operations. They also stimulate demand for local services transport, housing, hospitality, and supplies injecting money directly into the local economy. For a growing city like Eldoret, this kind of investment can accelerate business activity and position it as a regional energy and infrastructure hub.
The street lighting component is equally significant. Expanded, reliable lighting is expected to improve security, extend business hours, and enhance mobility across estates and commercial zones benefits that are directly felt by residents and businesses.
However, while the model is sound, execution remains the real test.
PPP projects involve long-term agreements with private investors, often backed by public guarantees. Without clear disclosure on procurement, pricing structures, and contractual obligations, even well-intentioned projects can face challenges around cost efficiency and public trust.
At present, there is limited public detail on the selected partners, financing structure, and oversight mechanisms. This places greater importance on transparency moving forward, regular reporting, independent audits, and clear communication on milestones and costs.
Eldoret does not need to consume the power it produces to benefit from it. But it does need to ensure the project delivers on jobs, safety, and economic growth while maintaining strict accountability.
Robert Mutasi