The national government’s Last Mile Connectivity Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at expanding electricity access to rural households, has reached Belgut Constituency in Kericho County with the launch of the Borborwet and Cheptigit Village Electrification Projects.
These initiatives, valued at Sh1.4 billion, target to connect 14,630 households across Kericho County, including 2,246 households in Belgut Constituency, with 128 connections at Borborwet village and 95 at Cheptigit Village, enhancing access to electricity for communities previously underserved.
Speaking during the official commissioning ceremony at Borborwet Village in Belgut Constituency Kericho County, Principal Secretary, State Department for Energy Alex Kamau Wachira, underscored the government’s commitment to accelerating rural electrification, emphasizing that energy access is a critical driver of education, health services, enterprise growth, and overall community empowerment.
Wachira highlighted that the Last Mile Connectivity Programme is set to transform communities across Kericho County, emphasizing that the new electricity connections would stimulate local businesses, brighten classrooms and enhance the operation of health facilities, ultimately improving the daily lives of residents.
The PS, who symbolically erected a pole to mark the commencement of works, was optimistic that the projects would bring transformative benefits and stressed that the Borborwet and Cheptigit village initiatives were part of a broader national strategy to ensure power for all Kenyans in all regions.
“Access to electricity is not a privilege but a right for all Kenyans; these connections will open doors for learning, healthcare, and new business opportunities. We are deliberately targeting remote and underserved communities to ensure no Kenyan is left behind,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kericho Senator and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot described the new connections as a watershed moment for Belgut Constituency, noting that the initiative would spark business opportunities, foster innovation, and attract further investment to the region.
Cheruiyot further revealed that nationwide, the programme has connected 10,045,775 Kenyans to electricity, marking an increase of 1,185,481 new connections since 2022, and highlighted that in the Financial Year 2024/2025 alone, 401,848 Kenyans gained access, including 163,091 last-mile customers.
“As we celebrate this year’s Mashujaa Day under the theme; “Energy as a driver of Economic and Social Development” I am pleased with the fact that the people of my region are among 10,045,775 Kenyans who now access electricity,” said Cheruiyot.
In the meantime, Belgut MP Nelson Koech, who hosted the PS and the Senate Majority Leader, emphasized that the Belgut project would benefit over twenty villages, ensuring households could leverage on electricity for domestic use, small-scale farming, agro-processing, and other entrepreneurial ventures.
“This initiative is a milestone for Belgut; the provision of electricity will empower our households, light up our schools, and unlock new business ventures for our youth and women,” said Koech.
The leaders then proceeded to commission several new facilities at Mobego primary and Junior school and Chemalul primary school complex within Belgut constituency, including a new administration block, an equipped computer laboratory, a modern kitchen, new ablution blocks, and additional classrooms.
The area MP noted that the school projects were financed through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) in partnership with the M-Pesa Foundation.
By Kibe Mburu
