Kenya: Enhancing Renewable Energy Technologies Adoption in Isiolo, Samburr, & Marsabit Counties Targeting Agricultural & Livestock Value Chains

Jun 19, 2025 (Deadline: 2025-06-27) | Mercy Corps
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Mercy Corps is a global non-governmental, humanitarian aid organization operating in transitional contexts that have undergone, or have been undergoing, various forms of economic, environmental, social and political instabilities. The organization claims to have assisted more than 220 million people survive humanitarian conflicts, seek improvements in livelihoods, and deliver durable development to their communities.

Background of the Program

The RANGE program is a 5-year initiative funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands (EKN). The program is implemented by a Consortium of three partners that includes Mercy Corps, FCDC and the Faculty of Geoinformation Science and Earth Observation, The University of Twente, in ASAL counties of Marsabit, Isiolo and Samburu. The program aims to strengthen communities' resilience to improve sustainable economic and social development in a well-managed landscape. RANGE proposes an integrated package of activities and interventions that will; strengthen rangeland management and encourage regenerative practices, ensuring migratory and sedentary livelihoods can peacefully co-exist; improve herd management and market access for small-scale producers; strengthen the institutions and policy frameworks that govern the livestock sector, and prioritize the development of robust spatial-temporal data sets to strengthen outcomes and help mitigate the impact of climate change and prevent further land and rangeland degradation.

The program has four integrated outcomes with mutually reinforcing interventions integrated across the thematic areas led by the different consortium partners with gender and diversity mainstreaming embedded in all outcomes.

1. Improved rangeland management repairs ecosystem health and increases food, nutrition and water security
2. Sustainable livestock and alternative livelihood production and competitiveness of markets strengthened within an improved policy environment.
3. Improved linkages among and between communities and government structures to support collaboration on economic, environmental and social issues promote stability and sustained development.
4. Strengthened Research and evidence-based programming contribute to impactful project implementation, effective coordination, early warning and early action, innovation and learning for resilient ASAL communities.

Renewable energy (RE) is essential for enhancing productivity in livestock and agricultural value chains while improving livelihoods through productive uses. However, the RANGE target counties—Marsabit, Isiolo, and Samburu—face significant energy access challenges, hindering economic development, agricultural productivity, and resilience. Reliance on costly and unsustainable traditional energy sources, such as diesel generators and firewood, contributes to environmental degradation and climate vulnerability. While renewable energy technologies offer sustainable alternatives, their adoption is constrained by affordability barriers, weak distribution networks, and limited financing options.

Energy demands within the communities in three target counties cuts across needs such as lighting, cooking, water pumping [household use, animal watering, crop production], value addition processes and postproduction preservation techniques. Kerosene and firewood are still predominant in majority of the households for lighting and cooking purposes.

The RANGE program, in collaboration with private sector actors, aims to facilitate the adoption of renewable energy solutions using a Market Systems Development (MSD) approach. By addressing market constraints, strengthening supply-demand linkages, and enabling private sector participation, this initiative seeks to create a sustainable ecosystem for renewable energy adoption in ASAL communities

Objective of Call for Applications

The objective of this call for applications is: To enhance the adoption of renewable energy technologies in the agriculture and livestock value chains and for livelihood improvement in the target wards of Isiolo, Samburu and Marsabit counties.

RANGE is welcoming applications from existing energy service providers interested in promoting the adoption of renewable energy technology solutions for agriculture and livestock value chains and for livelihood improvement.

After a thorough evaluation process, partnership agreements will be established with businesses that meet the outlined criteria. Where the introduction of innovative practices or business models involves financial investment, participating companies will be required to contribute through co-investment, either in monetary form or in-kind support.

Program Target Areas

Mercy Corps will consider applications from businesses who are interested in expanding their business networks and market reach in the following wards of the three target counties (applicants may choose to focus on selected counties or the wards, rather than targeting all locations):

Isiolo County:

• Burat ward
• Ngaremara ward
• Chari ward
• Kinna ward

Samburu County.

• Waso ward
• Wamba West ward
• Lodokejek ward
• Baawa ward

Marsabit County

• Laisamis ward
• Sagante/Jaldesa ward
• Maikona ward
• Gobo ward

Expected Outcomes

• Increased adoption of renewable energy technologies, enhancing energy access in RANGE target wards.
• Strengthened market ecosystem that supports inclusive RE access.
• Improved livelihoods and economic resilience through renewable energy technologies.
• Enhanced private sector participation and investment in renewable energy in RANGE target wards.
• Enhanced local partnerships with counties, wards and local distribution through stockist

Expected Outcomes

Selected companies in the private sector will partner with RANGE to:

1. Expand their market presence in RANGE target areas with targeted business support.
2. Leverage financing opportunities, including innovative product financing models.
3. Develop solutions tailored to local energy needs, such as solar water pumping, cold storage, and efficient cooking.
4. Engage with local governments and development partners to shape an enabling environment for the adoption of RE technologies

Value Proposition – What RANGE Offers

The RANGE program will offer the following support to partners within the program implementation pilot period:

• Product awareness raising: Sponsor route to market activities such as awareness raising events and demonstrations in the target county wards to generate buy-in for the renewable energy technologies. RANGE will facilitate linkages with Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), Ward Development Committees (WDC), Pastoral Associations (PAs) and Water Resource Users Associations (WRUAs) as key gateways to the communities.
• Technical and Commercial Assistance Technical Assistance (TA) on designing and deploying of business models and pricing structures that enable fit for purpose and scale.
• Data and Evidence: Build data and evidence on investment opportunities to help the companies in developing demand growth for RE technologies.
• Policy Advocacy: Facilitating policy advocacy forums between the private sector partners and county and local governments to promote the adoption of RE technologies.
• Product Affordability: Promote access to financial services by the communities to boast their purchasing power for the RE technologies.

Eligibility Criteria for Application

Interested applicants must fill in the following ELIGIBILITY criteria:

Geographical Focus & Experience

• Must be a legally registered entity with an active presence and operational experience in at least one of the RANGE target counties (Isiolo, Marsabit, or Samburu).
• Be willing to expand operations to the 12 RANGE target wards across the three counties.
• Demonstrated a track record of community engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver products and services through local partnerships.

Relevant Renewable Energy Solutions

• Offer technologies that are tailored to the needs of ASAL communities, specifically addressing energy demands in crop and livestock value chains (including dairy) and broader livelihood improvements.
• Solutions aligned to the needs of the program target areas e.g., solar water pumping, clean cooking solutions and technologies that would enhance value chains (e.g., cold storage, irrigation, agro-processing) are welcome as well as recommendations for RE applications relevant to the 12 programme wards.

Financial Stability & Implementation Readiness

• Must be financially capable of rapidly rolling out activities as outlined in section 9 below, with the ability to operate independently of upfront external funding.
• Must be able to cover capital and operational expenses during the pilot.
• Preference will be given to entities demonstrating financial capacity for co-investment or cost-sharing models.
• Preference will be given to companies with demonstrated potential to scale operations post partnership.

Affordable & Inclusive Financing Models

• Must offer consumer-friendly financing mechanisms that enhance affordability for rural households and businesses. Examples include but are not limited to Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG), leasing, microfinance.
• Ability to develop local partnerships to improve access to products and services for end-users.
• Willingness to develop and roll-out solutions that enhance inclusive access for marginalised groups in the communities.

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance

• Products must comply with Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) regulations or internationally recognized standards for renewable energy technologies.
• Companies must have systems in place to provide after-sales support, maintenance services, and warranties while ensuring customer protection.

Market Systems Development (MSD) Approach

• Willingness to adapt business models to align with an MSD approach, including working through local distribution networks, partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Ability to integrate local businesses and entrepreneurs into supply chains to promote sustainable market linkages.

Sector Engagement & Strategic Alignment (Added Advantage)

• Participation in the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) or other sectoral initiatives is an added advantage.
• Commitment to advocacy, policy engagement, and working with county governments, financial institutions, and market actors to strengthen the renewable energy ecosystem.

Data and Evidence

• Must be willing to provide monthly data across Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework parameters such as product sales, engaged participants, stocked products and local partnerships among others monthly.
• Willingness to commit to reporting Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) up to 6 months beyond the 12 months active period.

Required Reporting Under the Grant

Selected partners will be required to submit monthly data on business performance for the duration of the partnership and until the end of the RANGE program. Selected partners are expected to participate in monthly progress meetings with the RANGE team.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation criteria are shown in the table below. Applicants should refer to these criteria in drafting the proposal. Mercy Corps may deem it necessary to conduct oral or written discussions with applicants in the competitive range following the completion of the initial review of applications or request clarifications and additional materials. These additional discussions and/or requests for information should not be considered a final decision for the award, but rather part of the evaluation process.

The Mercy Corps subawards team will perform a preliminary Eligibility Check of the submitted applications to check:

1. Administrative compliance: Verification that the application is complete and that the application file includes all required items.
2. Eligibility: Verify that the applicant and provided renewable energy technologies are eligible according to the eligibility criteria.

The Selection Committee will only be asked to evaluate applications that meet all the preliminary administrative compliance and eligibility verification.

Evaluation Criteria - Description - Max Score per Criteria Item

1. Alignment with RFA Objectives - Extent to which the proposed solutions align with the goal of enhancing renewable energy adoption in agriculture, livestock, and livelihoods in RANGE target areas. 20mks.
2. Viability & Innovation of Proposed Business Model - Practicality, sustainability, and level of innovation in the proposed business practices or technology. Includes scalability and adaptability to local contexts.15mks
3. Expected Impact - Anticipated impact on pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and rural communities in terms of energy access, livelihood improvement, productivity, and resilience. 15mks
4. Inclusiveness & Reach - Strategies for engaging marginalized groups (e.g., women, youth, persons with disabilities) and expanding RE access to underserved wards. 10mks
5. Financial Capacity & Co-Investment - Demonstrated ability to fund capital and operational expenses during the pilot phase and willingness to co-invest beyond the minimum 50%. 10mks
6. Track Record and Local Experience - Experience delivering renewable energy solutions, engaging communities, and building local partnerships in RANGE target area settings. 10mks
7. Affordability & Financing Mechanisms - Strength of inclusive financing models offered (e.g., PAYG, leasing, microfinance) and their potential to improve affordability and adoption. 10mks
8. Monitoring, Data & Learning Commitment - Willingness and systems to support monthly data sharing, MEL alignment, and extended learning participation beyond the pilot phase. 10mks

Total (100 Mks)

Conditions

Issuance of this solicitation in no way constitutes a commitment by Mercy Corps to execute any agreement or to pay any costs incurred by any applicant.

Please note that Mercy Corps will fully respect the confidentiality of all companies involved in the program. If selected, Mercy Corps will establish an agreement with the applicant that describes the objective of collaboration and that clearly defines each party’s respective responsibilities, roles, and obligations. Successful applicants must be willing to share information with Mercy Corps regarding their performance, and Mercy Corps will conduct interviews with clients / customers to gather information on impact and to monitor progress.

Mercy Corps reserves the right to reject any or all applications received. Applications are submitted at the risk of the Applicant, and all preparation and submission costs are at the Applicant's own expense.