West Pokot, Kenya – Governor Simon Kachapin has officially launched the Ondoa Nyasi Initiative, a transformative housing and energy project aimed at replacing traditional grass-thatched roofs with modern iron sheet roofing for over 5,000 rural homes in the county.
The initiative, aligned with the West Pokot County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), is part of the governor’s development manifesto targeting vulnerable and low-income residents. Governor Kachapin highlighted the health and safety risks of grass-thatched houses, including fire hazards, flooding, and exposure to extreme weather, emphasizing that iron sheet roofing provides safer and healthier living conditions.
The project also integrates access to clean energy through the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (Kosap), benefiting over 16,500 households with home solar systems, 5,000 families with improved cookstoves, and 33 boreholes across remote communities. This effort ensures uninterrupted power for healthcare, education, and domestic needs while building local capacity in solar energy and project management.
Governor Kachapin lauded collaborative partnerships with national and development partners, noting that the initiative enhances safety, dignity, and opportunity for West Pokot families while promoting sustainable energy solutions.