Eng. Robert Gitemi Munene: Contributing to Kenya’s Renewable Energy Transition

Last Updated 3 weeks ago by Kenya Engineer

In this exclusive interview, Kenya Engineer speaks with Eng. Robert Gitemi Munene, CEO and co-founder of Cytek Solar Limited, on his experiences and perspectives within Kenya’s growing renewable energy space. Since its founding in 2018, Cytek Solar has been part of Kenya’s wider effort to advance clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions. Eng. Munene reflects on his journey from employment to entrepreneurship, Cytek’s approach to innovation and hybrid systems, and how emerging technologies are reshaping the future of the country’s energy landscape.

Background & Motivation

Could you share with us your journey into renewable energy — what inspired you to leave Chloride Exide and co-found Cytek Solar in 2018?

Throughout my employment years, I always carried a quiet but persistent desire to one day venture into business. Each successful solar installation gave me a deep sense of fulfilment — a feeling that went beyond the technical accomplishment to the human impact of bringing light and reliability to homes and businesses. Coupled with my belief in the immense potential of renewable energy in Africa, this passion ultimately led me to co-found Cytek Solar.

What was the founding mission of Cytek Solar, and how has it evolved over the years?

When we started Cytek Solar, our mission was simple yet ambitious — to make the transition to renewable energy as seamless as possible. We wanted to provide tailored energy solutions that truly met each client’s unique needs — from technology and design to financing and scalability. Over the years, that mission has stayed the same but grown deeper in meaning. We’ve refined our model to emphasize quality, innovation, and flexible payment options, ensuring that renewable energy remains accessible and practical for all.

As CEO, what have been some of the biggest early challenges you faced in establishing a solar business in Kenya and East Africa?

When we began, we were a small team of three handling everything — from sales and installations to customer service and accounting. Those early days were intense but invaluable. They gave us firsthand insight into every part of the business, built resilience, and shaped the culture of agility and teamwork that still drives Cytek today.

Company & Projects Overview

Cytek Solar is known to design, supply, and install solar energy systems across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Can you describe a few flagship projects — their scale, location, and impact?

Some of our most meaningful projects include:
• The installation of 50 solar water heating systems at Elmer Hotel Naivasha, which now provides guests with reliable hot water in a cold environment — without additional energy costs to the business.
• A 15KWP solar borehole pumping system in Koiyet, Bomet. The community had gone over 20 years without a steady source of water. Seeing water finally flow and the joy it brought was a humbling reminder of why we do what we do.
• The solarization of Fatuma Shubiri Mosque in Elwak, Mandera, with a 20KWP hybrid system that now powers the mosque and provides charging access for the surrounding community.
• A 50KWP hybrid system in Sagana that powers a farm’s borehole, piglet heaters, and slaughterhouse — cutting operational costs while boosting sustainability and profitability.

Your company also does energy audits and smart power solutions. How do these services complement your solar installations?

A major cause of solar system inefficiency is wrong sizing. With our advanced data loggers, we monitor real-time consumption patterns — by the hour and by appliance — allowing us to accurately size each system for optimal performance. This not only enhances efficiency but empowers clients with valuable insight into their own energy usage. Our remote monitoring control center provides live performance data, ensuring proactive maintenance and reliability.

In your project sourcing, which suppliers or technologies do you rely on?

We’ve partnered with GoodWe, one of the world’s top inverter and battery manufacturers. Their products come with a 10-year warranty and a proactive swap policy, which means our clients never have to go without power during maintenance. We also work with Archimedes Wind, whose windsock-designed turbines are efficient and well-suited for our local conditions.

Wind Turbine Strategy & Market Entry

Talking of wind turbines, you’ve announced plans to introduce large-scale wind turbine technology into Kenya within the year 2025. What motivated this move?

Solar power, while transformative, is limited to daylight hours. Many clients would often ask, “How can we use the strong winds around us?” That curiosity inspired us to explore wind technology as a natural complement to solar. The goal is to ensure continuous power generation — day and night — while taking advantage of Kenya’s abundant wind resources.

What factors led you to pick Kenya and that timeline? If there are specific Kenyan locations identified for wind projects, could you share them?

Kenya has long been a pioneer in green energy, backed by supportive policies, strong investor interest, and a growing renewable energy market. As proud Kenyans, it felt right to pilot this initiative at home. We’ve mapped out regions with excellent wind potential — Turkana, Mandera, and Isiolo in the north, and Kajiado–Konza in the south — where farms, resorts, and small businesses stand to benefit immensely.

How do you plan to integrate wind energy with your existing solar portfolio?

Many of our clients are already pre-booking hybrid Solar-Wind systems. These setups will allow for continuous generation, especially at night or on cloudy days. For others — particularly farms and resorts — standalone wind solutions will offer reliable, independent power.

What challenges do you foresee in deploying wind turbines?

We expect technical challenges such as ensuring turbines are elevated above surrounding structures for maximum efficiency. Regulatory frameworks for wind are still evolving, but we’re optimistic. We plan to work closely with civil and structural engineers to align design standards and build safe, sustainable systems.

How do you expect wind costs to compare with solar plus storage?

While wind systems are currently more capital-intensive, we’re setting up for local assembly within two years, which should reduce costs by nearly half. Once installed, maintenance is minimal, making it a practical long-term solution.

Business Model & Strategy

What business models do you intend to use for wind?

We’ll adopt the lease-to-own model that has worked successfully for our solar projects — allowing clients to transition gradually and affordably to renewable power.

How do you plan to finance wind projects?

Through a blend of debt, grants, and strategic partnerships. We’re already working with DTB Bank for technical assistance and financing, and with Geminia Insurance to develop tailored insurance products and training programs for wind solutions.

What market segments are you prioritizing?

Our primary focus is on farms, hospitals, telecommunication infrastructure, and SMEs — particularly in peri-urban and rural areas. We’re also targeting schools and TVET institutions, where we’re setting up innovation hubs to help students interact with renewable technologies firsthand.

What is your approach to operations and maintenance?

We’re training 75 technicians across Kenya to provide O&M support. Many are drawn from our existing solar network, and this upskilling ensures we have local expertise to maintain wind systems effectively.

Policy, Regulation & Market Environment

How supportive are governmental institutions or stakeholders to wind energy?

We’ve seen encouraging openness from government agencies and other stakeholders. As early entrants, we understand there will be gray areas, but our data and on-the-ground experience will help inform future policies and frameworks.

What challenges in public perception or environmental concerns do you anticipate?

Public perception is often shaped by exposure to new technology. Our turbines operate quietly — around 42dBA — and their bladeless design makes them safe for wildlife. We plan to run community demonstrations and engagement forums to build confidence and understanding around wind solutions.

Technical & Innovation

At what wind speeds do your turbines optimally operate?

The turbines operate best at around 12m/s in open, unobstructed environments.

Do you intend to use small or mid-sized turbines?

We’ll begin with compact, mid-sized turbines generating between 1–10KWP. These are ideal for SMEs and can integrate seamlessly with solar and energy storage systems for stability and continuous supply.

How will you monitor performance and reliability?

All our systems feature IoT-enabled controllers for real-time monitoring. Through smart connectivity, we can detect faults early, even in remote areas, ensuring reliability and performance.

Are there opportunities for local manufacturing or assembly?

Absolutely. Our MOU with the technology owners includes provisions for local assembly and distribution across Africa — a move that will reduce costs, build skills, and strengthen regional supply chains.

Impact, Sustainability & Vision

How do you measure social, environmental, and economic impact?

Our control center tracks real-time data on carbon reduction and equivalent trees saved. Beyond environmental metrics, we measure growth in local business income, productivity, and community access to reliable energy — especially in marginalized counties such as Turkana, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta.

What role do you see Cytek playing in Kenya’s 100% renewable goal by 2030?

We aim to power five million homes and businesses within the next five years. Through flexible business models and reliable technology, we’re contributing to Kenya’s vision of affordable and sustainable energy for all.

How do you envision Cytek evolving over the next decade?

We see Cytek becoming a Pan-African renewable energy player — not just providing technology, but nurturing the next generation of energy innovators. Through partnerships with TVETs and universities, we hope to inspire a new wave of African-owned clean energy solutions.

What are the biggest risks or bottlenecks you foresee?

Capital investment and knowledge gaps remain the main challenges. To bridge them, we’ve partnered with banks, impact investors, and institutions such as Shanghai University of Electric Power to build local capacity and research collaboration.

Advice & Reflections

For aspiring engineers and entrepreneurs in renewables, what mindsets are most critical?

Believe in local innovation. Every challenge in our environment is an opportunity waiting for a creative solution. We must think beyond consumption and start seeing ourselves as inventors and contributors to the global energy transition.

Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?

I would have taken bold steps sooner. In hindsight, the decisions we delay often weigh heavier than the risks we take. Growth comes from movement — even when the path isn’t entirely clear.