Kenya Power monopoly at risk as firm vies for 'last-mile' customers

Kenya Power personnel at work. A solar micro-grid company plans to sell power to the public, ending a half-century monopoly by the State electricity firm. [PHOTO: FIDELIS KABUNYI/STANDARD]

Kenya’s renewable energy sector is set for a boost in September when a solar microgrid company plans to become the country’s first licensed private utility to sell power to the public, ending a half-century monopoly by the State electricity firm.

Earlier this year, the Government granted Powerhive East Africa, an energy technology venture with its roots in the United States, a permit to supply electricity to rural homes in competition with 53-year-old grid giant Kenya Power.