Schools Across Nairobi Begin Installation of Energy-Saving Lighting

In a bid to curb rising electricity costs and promote sustainability, over 120 public primary and secondary schools across Nairobi County have commenced installation of energy-efficient LED lighting systems powered by hybrid solar-grid setups. Spearheaded by the Nairobi City County Education Office in partnership with the Ministry of Education and private firm EcoLit Solutions, the initiative targets schools with high energy overheads — particularly those operating computer labs and night study halls. At Starehe Girls’ Centre, headteacher Mrs. Grace Mwangi confirmed that installation began last week: Our monthly electricity bill averaged KSh 85,000. With these new lights, we expect to cut that by 60%—funds we’ll redirect to science lab upgrades. Each school receives 40–100 LED units, motion sensors, and a 2kW solar panel array. County education executive Anne Waiguru noted the project aligns with Kenya’s Climate-Smart Education Strategy 2023–2027. This isn’t just about saving shillings—it’s about teaching learners environmental stewardship through infrastructure, she said during a launch at Makongeni Primary. Phase one covers Eastlands and Central divisions; Western Nairobi schools enter rollout in December. Teachers’ unions have welcomed the move but urged faster deployment: Some schools still use incandescent bulbs from the 1990s, said KNUT’s Nairobi chair. Monitoring will be done via a digital dashboard tracking energy savings per school.
2025-11-20
https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/education/article/2001486721/nairobi-schools-install-solar-led-lights
TSC Clears 3,200 Pending Teacher Transfers Amid Nationwide Grievances
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has cleared a backlog of 3,214 teacher transfer requests, resolving a major grievance that had triggered protests in 15 counties. In a statement issued Monday, TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia said the transfers—delayed since April due to system upgrades and verification bottlenecks—are now effective from December 1, 2025. Affected teachers include those seeking spousal reunification, health-related relocations, and security transfers from hardship areas. We prioritized cases with medical evidence and family emergencies, Macharia explained, adding that 92% were processed via the revamped T-Pay+ portal. In Kakamega, teacher Samuel Otieno, who’d waited 11 months to join his ailing mother in Kisumu, called the move a breath of fresh air. However, KNUT warned that 4,100 more cases remain pending, especially in arid counties like Turkana where staffing gaps persist. The commission pledged full clearance by January 2026. Critics note the delays coincided with the rollout of the new Integrated Teacher Management System (ITMS), which faced teething problems. TSC insists the system is now stable and will prevent future backlogs.