Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has revealed plans to connect 1,250 households in Kajiado Central to the national grid as part of the government’s ambitious Last Mile Connectivity Programme.
Speaking in Kajiado town during his visit to ongoing electrification projects in the constituency, Wandayi said the programme forms a critical part of the government’s commitment to achieving universal electricity access.
“The government has allocated Sh1.4 billion nationally to connect 5,000 households through the Last Mile Connectivity Programme. Kajiado Central alone will benefit from Sh338 million to ensure that over 1,200 households, as well as public institutions such as schools and health centres, are connected,” he said.
The CS emphasized that electricity access is key to accelerating development in rural areas and empowering communities economically.
Wandayi urged local communities to support the project and work alongside implementing agencies to ensure smooth and transparent rollout.
Kajiado Central Member of Parliament, Memusi Kanchory, welcomed the initiative, noting that access to electricity will transform livelihoods in the constituency.
“This programme is a milestone for Kajiado Central. It will improve security, boost local businesses, enhance learning in our schools, and improve healthcare services,” said Kanchory.
Residents have already begun experiencing the benefits of electrification. According to George Kariuki, a resident of Tseuri village, the arrival of electricity has significantly improved security and quality of life in the community.
“Before electricity was connected in our homes, wild animals like hyenas posed a serious threat to us at night, endangering our families and livestock. Now, with lighting in our homes and around the village, we feel much safer,” he said.
Kariuki also noted that the availability of electricity has encouraged more evening activities, such as community meetings and local business operations, which were previously limited by darkness.
Similarly, Mary Njeri, a mother of four, revealed that electricity had transformed their daily lives in many ways.
“My children can now study after sunset, and we no longer worry about using kerosene lamps, which are hazardous and costly,” she said.
Mary added that the electricity connection has also enabled the family to use modern appliances, reducing the time spent on household chores and improving their overall wellbeing.
The Last Mile Connectivity Programme is a flagship government initiative, aimed at bridging the electricity access gap, especially in rural and underserved areas.
It seeks to ensure that every Kenyan household and public facility is connected to reliable power, supporting Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
By Rop Janet
