After long decades of darkness, Kaganda village in Nyando Sub-County, Kisumu County, lit up with joy, as electricity finally reached the remote region for the first time.
For 78-year-old Grace Otolo and her community, years of living in darkness finally came to an end after Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) connected them to power, under the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP).
“We had to travel to Ahero market – approximately 8 kilometers away, to charge our mobile phones and to access other services that require electricity. But now, we can rejoice because light has finally reached us,” Otolo shared these heartfelt remarks as the lights were switched on in her rural home on Friday.
The community, she added, endured hippos’ terror that roamed Kaganda village at night due to the absence of electricity.
“We lived in constant fear,” Otolo recounted, “Hippos would invade our village under the cover of darkness, trampling crops, attacking people, and leaving us terrified to step outside at night.”
The newly connected power lines, she said, have not only facilitated the possibility to recharge mobile phones and link up with relatives but also restored a sense of safety to the community long haunted by the threats lurking in the dark.
Her joy is a reflection across the community as Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi commissioned the rural electrification program in Kaganda and Mudho villages in Nyando and Kadibo Sub Counties, respectively targeting to illuminate 250 homes.
Ministry of Energy and Petroleum records that by 2024, approximately 25% of Kenyans lacked access to electricity, with rural areas facing disproportionately low connectivity rates.
In order to enhance living conditions of the rural population, the national government unveiled the LMCP initiative aimed at increasing universal access to electricity for low-income households and businesses in rural and peri-urban areas.
Wandayi announced that Kisumu County was allocated Sh900 million in the 2024/25 Financial Year to accelerate electrification programs, with Nyando Sub-County alone receiving Sh138 million for grid expansion.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Last Mile Connectivity Project in the two villages in Kisumu County on Friday, the CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to lighting up rural Kenya and empowering communities through expanded access to electricity.
“Electricity is not just a utility – it is the backbone of development and a fundamental right for every citizen. This investment bridges the gap, ensuring homes, schools, businesses, and public amenities have reliable power. With this, we are transforming lives, empowering learners to study without disruption, and fueling the growth of local economies,” said Wandayi.
He lauded the government’s inclusive approach to development, emphasizing its commitment to equitable growth across all regions.
“We are cognizant of the fact that massive investment is required for nationwide electrification. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that the national government has appropriated additional funds in the 2025/26 Financial Year to significantly expand the Last Mile Connectivity Program,” he stated.
The CS was accompanied by Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o, Members of Parliament for Nyando and Mathare constituencies Jared Okello and Anthony Oluoch respectively, Kisumu County Woman Representative Ruth Odinga, Nyando Deputy County Commissioner Elijah Maranga among other local leaders.
By Robert Ojwang’
