Nairobi, Aug. 13 -- Kenya's arid and semi-arid counties present a striking paradox as they possess the richest solar and wind resources yet remain among the least served by modern energy infrastructure. This has constrained economic activity, increased household energy costs, undermined health, and contributed to environmental degradation.

Interestingly, for Kenyans living in areas covered by the national grid, electricity is something we notice only when it goes off. But millions of Kenyans living in remote parts of our country lack access to reliable electricity for decades, relying on kerosene lamps, firewood, charcoal, and diesel generators to meet basic energy needs.

To reverse this imbalance, the government, working with the World...