Several Villages Light Up After New Electricity Connections Across 4 Counties

Several villages across Kericho, Nandi, Busia and Kwale counties have moved from darkness to light after receiving electricity connections. 

Among the villages that have benefited from the last mile connectivity project is Baregeiywet village in Kericho County. 

The residents had lived without electricity for decades, but today poles rise across the village, with power lines connecting homes and businesses.

According to Joseph Ruto, a resident of Baregeiywet village, the grid connections have brought relief to families who had relied on traditional lighting for years.

“We did not have electricity, so we relied on very old lamps for lighting. We have spent many years without electricity. We are grateful to finally have electricity,” said Ruto. 

The power connection has so far benefited 61 of the 82 homes in the village and also lit a local shopping centre.

The local youth have used the connection to expand their businesses and can now operate for longer hours. 

“Previously, we used to close early, but now I have extended my working hours until midnight,” Richard Rono, a shopkeeper in the area said. 

In Kwale County, residents of Masendeni village have similarly benefited from the new electricity connection. 

The project has reduced their reliance on traditional and alternative sources of power for domestic and commercial use.

Ali Mahendo, a resident in the village, said solar power had presented challenges, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

“With solar power, you have to wait for the sun. During rainy weather, it becomes a major challenge,” Mahendo stated. 

Homa Bay County has also benefited from the electricity grid reaching Wahambla village and allowing businesses to remain open into the night. 

The residents have welcomed the power connections, saying it has improved security, particularly around the local market.

“Our security situation has improved because when we had no electricity and it was dark, we were afraid of criminals. Now, we are grateful to the government for doing a good job by bringing electricity to us,” said one of the locals. 

Nandi County has equally benefited from the last mile connectivity program, with electricity poles now visible across villages. 

The last mile connectivity project is implemented by Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).

The program was rolled out in 2015 and has benefited thousands of Kenyans across all 47 counties.  

The program connects homes located within 600 meters of an existing transformer to the national grid at a heavily subsidized cost of Ksh 15,000. 

REREC CEO Rose Mkalama said the new power connections are transforming communities, with young people now able to start small businesses.

“Our young men are opening businesses like welding. We have seen these projects bringing money into the pockets of our citizens, and this means that as the country grows, it grows right from the ordinary person in the community. Therefore, we see development both socially and economically for our country,” said Mkalama. 

This comes days after President William Ruto launched the last mile connectivity projects in Bomet County and in Migori County. 

In a statement, President Ruto said the government is planning to connect 21,000 households to power. 

“We are connecting 21,000 households to power under the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity project in the county at a cost of KSh2.8 billion,” he said.