By W, KNA
The Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to achieving universal electrification in the next two years.
The Deputy President has revealed that the government, through the Ministry of Energy, has laid down an elaborate plan which will ensure that all 15.6 million homes in the country are connected with electricity.
Prof. Kindiki said that the initiative is expected to accelerate the country’s drive towards attaining first world status, adding that expanded electricity connectivity remains a critical pillar in achieving that goal.
“Since September 2022 to date we have connected 1.3 million homes with electricity. The remaining households that do not have electricity we are going to make sure in the next 2-3 years we will connect every home in the Republic of Kenya with electricity so that we can move to the first world because we cannot claim to move to the first world when some people are still living in darkness,” said Prof. Kindiki.
The Deputy President spoke in Nyeri on Thursday during the commissioning of the Maragima last-mile project which will benefit 353 households as well as neighbouring schools, churches and health facilities in the area.
Prof. Kindiki who was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Energy Alex Wachira, also flagged off electricity poles to be used for Kairi, Ebenezer, Gatei, Ngatha, Mukuri Ngano-ini and Muti umwe last-mile electricity projects.
Overall, the projects will cost Sh190 million and will see 1,100 families get electricity connection.
Additionally, he said that the government has set aside Sh754 million to facilitate connection of an additional 9,500 homes in the County with electricity. Out of this, the Deputy President noted, Sh450 million had been allocated to the vast Kieni constituency to connect some 3,500 homes with electricity.
The Deputy President also said that the government has also directed the Ministry of Energy to fast-track the completion of last- mile projects in the County.