Kennya has set aside Kshh36 billion ($278.3 million) to connect households to electricity through the Last-Mile Connectivity Project.

Out of the funds, Ksh8.6 billion ($66.7 million) is to be used connect 115,000 households in nine counties in populous Mount Kenya region.

The plan was announced at the weekend by Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki during a tour of Kieni Nyeri County. Prof Kindiki said the government is in the process of sourcing additional funds to ensure every Kenyan home is connected to the national grid.

While enumerating the development milestones over the past two years, the deputy president explained that the government had managed to increase the number of Kenyans with access to electricity from 2.7 in 2013, to the current nine million with plans in top gear to connect one million more over in the next 20 months. 

“As a government, we know there are areas in this country without electricity connection. Our goal is to ensure that each household in the country is connected to power,” said the DP.

The DP who was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Alex Wachira (energy), Eng Joseph Mbugua (roads and transport) and Ann Wang’ombe (gender and affirmative action) and a host of elected leaders, also said that the government was keen on accelerating infrastructure development, spurring economic growth and improving the livelihoods of Kenyans.

He noted that the country was in a better place economically and Kenyans would soon start reaping the benefits of the stable economy.

“Right now because the economy is stable, we now have enough funds. We want to ensure that in the next three years, we have addressed issues of road expansion, water and electricity connectivity and youth employment, so that our country is in a better place, “he said.

During the tour, he also commissioned a Ksh733 million ($5.7 million) Last-Mile Connectivity Project from Aguthi, Mbogo-ini, Gikamba and Murungaru in Kieni Constituency.

The project will be undertaken by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation and is targeting 10,903 beneficiaries. He also launched a Ksh164 million ($1.3 million). Last-Mile Connectivity Project which will provide electricity to 1,163 beneficiaries.

• A Tell / KNA report / By Wangari Mwangi