CS Wandayi Launches Solar Project to Power Virtual Court Hearings at Nairobi Remand
By Editorial Team
NAIROBI, July 6, 2026 — Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi on Monday commissioned a solar power project at Nairobi Remand and Allocation Maximum Security Prison, marking a major step towards ensuring uninterrupted virtual court hearings while promoting clean energy in Kenya’s correctional facilities.
The newly installed hybrid solar system is expected to end the frequent power outages that have long disrupted court proceedings at the prison, strengthening access to justice while improving security, operational efficiency and service delivery.
Implemented through a partnership between the Government of Kenya, the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the PLEAD Programme, the project also reflects the country’s commitment to modernising correctional institutions through sustainable energy solutions.
Speaking during the launch, Wandayi said the investment goes beyond supplying electricity, describing it as a significant milestone in strengthening the justice system through resilient and environmentally sustainable public infrastructure.
For years, Nairobi Remand has grappled with unreliable electricity that repeatedly interrupted virtual court proceedings. The facility facilitates between 200 and 500 virtual court sessions every day for courts in Nairobi, Kiambu, Thika, Kisumu, Mombasa and several other parts of the country. Every blackout delayed hearings, disrupted digital systems and affected essential services, including water supply after pumping systems shut down.
With the commissioning of the 28.08-kilowatt peak hybrid solar power system, those challenges are expected to ease significantly. The installation, which includes battery storage, inverter chargers, an upgraded backup generator, automated switching systems and energy-efficient lighting, now provides uninterrupted power to critical areas of the prison, ensuring round-the-clock operations.
Wandayi said the reliable electricity supply has already improved the efficiency of virtual court sessions by allowing mentions, hearings, rulings, appeals and bail applications to proceed without unnecessary delays. He noted that the project is helping reduce case backlogs, lower prisoner transportation costs, enhance security and improve the overall use of public resources while safeguarding the constitutional right to timely access to justice.
Beyond strengthening justice delivery, the Cabinet Secretary said the solar project supports Kenya’s climate agenda by reducing reliance on conventional electricity and cutting operational costs. He added that the savings generated from lower electricity bills will be redirected towards rehabilitation programmes and other correctional services.
Wandayi also called on correctional institutions across the country to embrace renewable energy as part of efforts to build greener, more resilient public institutions. At the same time, he stressed the need for continued investment in virtual court infrastructure, modern ICT systems and integrated security technologies to accelerate reforms across the justice sector.
He commended the European Union, UNODC, the State Department for Correctional Services and the technical teams that delivered the project, saying their partnership demonstrates how collaboration can strengthen justice delivery while advancing sustainable development.
The launch of the solar project positions Nairobi Remand as a model for integrating renewable energy into public institutions, ensuring that the wheels of justice keep turning even during power disruptions while supporting Kenya’s broader transition to clean, reliable energy.
