Kenya Minute.
Wednesday, 12 August 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Wednesday, 12 August 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Alex Wachira

Also known as: Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira · Principal Secretary Alex Wachira · Alex K. Wachira · Energy PS Alex Wachira · Principal Secretary for Energy Alex Wachira

2026-05-152026-08-12

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. The Standard

    The Energy Department issued the seedlings for various tree species to the community and the university populations.Principal Secretary Alex Wachira and Administrative Secretary Alan Machari said the department was strongly supporting the initiative by President William Ruto.

    Don: Everyone should plant 300 trees annually
  3. The Standard

    Speaking during the event at Kipsing location in Oldonyiro ward, in Isiolo County, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said that the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) is a deliberate initiative by the government to uplift the livelihoods of residents in the underser

    Government launches construction of 114 solar mini grids in 14 counties
  4. Citizen Digital

    Speaking in Baragoi and Maralal towns during the launch of Last Mile Electrification projects by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said the initiative is part of President William Ruto’s commitment to improving the

    Gov't launches Last Mile Electrification Project for over 10,000 homes in Samburu
Mining & Energy

Kenya plans smart grids and battery storage for renewable energy

The News

Kenya could require about 1,000 megawatts of battery energy storage to manage rising electricity demand and accommodate more renewable energy, according to stakeholders at the Kenya Energy Transition Forum 2026. Peak electricity demand has reached 2,549 MW and is expected to rise to between 2,600 and 2,650 MW by year-end.

7 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Today

  1. Kenya plans smart grids and battery storage for renewable energy

    Kenya could require about 1,000 megawatts of battery energy storage to manage rising electricity demand and accommodate more renewable energy, according to stakeholders at the Kenya Energy Transition Forum 2026. Peak electricity demand has reached 2,549 MW and is expected to rise to between 2,600 and 2,650 MW by year-end.

    7 hours ago · Citizen Digital

Sunday 9 August

  1. Deputy President urges unity over divisive politics ahead of 2027 election

    Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned against political rhetoric that threatens national cohesion, urging Kenyans to embrace issue-based, constructive politics ahead of the 2027 general election. He stressed that regional and national unity cannot be sacrificed for political expediency, particularly in vote-rich regions experiencing intensified political mobilization.

    9 August 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Kindiki urges Mt Kenya unity ahead of 2027 elections

    Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has appealed to the Mt Kenya region to remain united despite political differences, warning that electoral competition should not damage community bonds or national peace. He called on residents to tolerate differing opinions, assess leaders by performance rather than rhetoric, and avoid violence and property destruction.

    9 August 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 23 July

  1. Kenya eyes Chinese partnerships in renewable energy, manufacturing

    Kenya is seeking partnerships with Chinese firms in waste, geothermal, and solar energy to boost generation and transmission capacity and establish itself as a regional manufacturing hub. At China Trade Week in Nairobi, where 40 Chinese renewable energy businesses are exhibiting, officials noted that Kenya's renewable resources and strategic location complement China's expertise in renewable technologies and equipment manufacturing.

    23 July 2026 · The Standard

Friday 17 July

  1. ID reforms removing barriers to govt services, PS says

    The Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration says the Government's reforms to ease access to national identification documents are helping eliminate barriers to government services, development opportunities and democratic participation, following a presidential directive to issue ID documents to eligible Kenyans without unnecessary obstacles.

    17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Government ID reforms remove barriers to services, PS says

    Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo said the Government's ongoing reforms to ease access to national identification documents are helping eliminate barriers that have long prevented many Kenyans from accessing government services, development opportunities and democratic participation. President William Ruto directed that all eligible Kenyans be issued with identification documents without unnecessary obstacles.

    17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 11 July

  1. IEBC summons Nakuru MP over voter bribery in Ol Kalou by-election

    The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has summoned Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria to appear before its Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee over allegations he distributed money to voters in Mirangine town during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election campaign.

    11 July 2026 · Capital News

Friday 10 July

  1. IEBC urged to investigate cash-for-IDs claims in Ol Kalou by-election

    Mavoko MP Patrick Makau has called on the IEBC to probe allegations that voters in Ol Kalou are being offered cash, gas cylinders and food in exchange for surrendering their national identity cards ahead of the July 16 parliamentary by-election, claiming this denies citizens their constitutional right to vote.

    10 July 2026 · Capital News

Tuesday 7 July

  1. Government launches Ksh.10B projects in Ol Kalou before by-election

    The government has launched development projects worth more than Ksh.10 billion in Ol Kalou Constituency, Nyandarua County, ahead of the July 16 by-election, including two fishing boats worth Ksh.5 million. The opposition contends the projects are being rolled out to influence voters ahead of the election.

    7 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Over 1,000 Nyandarua farmers benefit from 500-acre irrigation project

    The Gwa Kiongo Irrigation Project in Mirangine Ward, Ol Kalou will provide 1,000 farmers with reliable water access through piping networks, enabling up to three cropping seasons annually and boosting production of high-value crops, household incomes, and climate resilience, according to Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho.

    7 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Gikaria defends ID collection during campaign, cites voter accountability

    Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria defended his campaign's practice of collecting National Identity cards from residents during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, saying the checks ensure campaign resources reach registered voters in assigned polling stations. Gikaria said he spent Sh1.2 million in a single day and dismissed allegations the exercise was intended to manipulate the electoral process.

    7 July 2026 · Capital News

  4. Gwa Kiongo dam project to enable year-round farming in Nyandarua

    The Irrigation Principal Secretary announced the government's commitment to expand irrigation infrastructure in Nyandarua County through the Gwa Kiongo Irrigation Project, which will bring 500 acres under irrigation across two phases and enable up to three cropping seasons a year for more than 1,000 farmers. Officials distributed 20,000 fish fingerlings to promote aquaculture as part of efforts to diversify livelihoods and boost food security.

    7 July 2026 · The Standard

Monday 29 June

  1. KenGen expands renewable energy pipeline to 5,500MW

    Kenya Electricity Generating Company has increased its renewable energy development pipeline from 1,500MW to 5,500MW, driven by planned nuclear capacity (2GW), expanded hydro and geothermal opportunities, and rising regional demand for clean power. The expansion was announced alongside the company's inaugural Sustainability Report for the 2024/25 financial year.

    29 June 2026 · Capital News

Saturday 27 June

  1. Garissa Substation upgrade connects Dadaab to national grid

    Kenya Electricity Transmission Company upgraded the Garissa Substation at a cost of Ksh.122 million, tripling transformer capacity to connect Dadaab to the national grid and meet growing electricity demand in the region.

    27 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Friday 19 June

  1. Government warns against violence and looting in protests

    The government has issued a warning against rising cases of violence, destruction of property and criminal infiltration of public demonstrations, urging Kenyans to exercise their constitutional rights responsibly while safeguarding national unity, peace and economic stability.

    19 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Kenya joins Global Offshore Wind Alliance for coastal energy development

    Kenya has formally joined the Global Offshore Wind Alliance to assess and develop offshore wind resources along its coastline, leveraging international expertise in renewable energy and supporting its climate action and sustainable blue economy goals.

    17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Monday 8 June

  1. Government officials campaign for UDA in Ol Kalou by-election

    Senior government officials including Cabinet Secretaries Rebecca Miano and Alice Wahome, along with Members of Parliament, are campaigning in Ol Kalou Constituency ahead of the July 16 by-election to drum up support for UDA candidate Samwel Muchina, while former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's opposition party has also begun campaigning in the area.

    8 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Thursday 4 June

  1. Government directs Kenya Power to withdraw electricity price hike bid

    The government has yielded to public pressure and directed Kenya Power to withdraw an application that would have increased power prices, easing potential strain on Kenyan households and businesses.

    4 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Kenya Power tariff review application withdrawn, prices unchanged

    Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi announced that Kenya Power's retail electricity tariff review application, submitted on March 31, has been withdrawn to shield households and businesses from potential cost increases and support economic growth.

    3 June 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 31 May

  1. Ruto allocates Sh4.1bn for 17,000 Wajir household electrification

    President Ruto announced Sh4.1 billion in funding to connect 17,000 households in Wajir County to the national grid during the commissioning of a solar hybrid power plant in Habaswein. The plant is part of the Last Mile Electrification initiative and includes a 54-kilometre grid extension expected to power 1,700 households and supply electricity to public facilities.

    31 May 2026 · The Standard

Monday 18 May

  1. MUST vice-chancellor urges Kenyans to plant 300 trees annually

    The Meru University of Science and Technology vice-chancellor has urged every Kenyan to plant at least 300 trees yearly to support the presidential target of 15 billion trees by 2032, noting that the university's own sustained tree-planting effort has raised its forest cover to 16 per cent over the last decade.

    18 May 2026 · The Standard

Sunday 17 May

  1. Government launches 114 solar mini-grids across 14 counties

    Kenya's Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) has begun construction of 114 solar mini-grids in 14 underserved counties, targeting over 300,000 villagers and costing Sh9.4 billion. The mini-grids will use solar PV technology with battery storage to power residential, institutional, and commercial enterprises, as well as boreholes for water supply, as part of government efforts to ensure all Kenyans have electricity access by 2030.

    17 May 2026 · The Standard

Friday 15 May

  1. Government launches electrification project for 10,968 Samburu homes

    The government is electrifying 10,968 households in Samburu County through a Last Mile Electrification project by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation, with completion expected by September. The initiative aims to expand electricity access to rural areas and enable income-generating activities.

    15 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

Alex Wachira — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute