Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi is calling on residents of Bungoma County to guard installed electricity equipment against vandalism.
The CS noted that there were some people who were destroying power installations by cutting wires and vandalising transformers to get the allegedly valuable oil thus interfering with electricity supply in the country.
Mr. Wandayi who was speaking at Sikalame in Bungoma South Sub-County, during the launch of the Rural Electrical connectivity project said that vandalism of electricity facilities was making the government lose millions of shillings and asked residents to be alert by guarding the electricity installations without compromise.
The CS told the area residents to be wary of people masquerading as officials from the government asking them to pay a certain fee to have electricity connected to their premises, saying the cost of installation of the rural electricity programme was a project fully funded by the government.
“The government set aside Sh1.8 billion for the rural electrification programme in Bungoma county this Financial Year,” he said adding that the only requirement will be for the beneficiary to pay for the bills after installation.
The CS launched the installation of electricity to 300 homesteads in Sikalame ward and 200 in Musikoma ward both in Kanduyi constituency.
He reaffirmed the government’s efforts to promote growth equitably among all communities noting that reliable supply of electricity was important for the country’s economic growth.
Bungoma Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatianyi said the programme under the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation will transform lives of the people by enhancing the growth and success of small enterprises.
She said that the supply of energy in the rural health facilities will enable them to offer quality services to the community.
Residents who spoke to KNA said that installation of electricity in the area had transformed their lives as they were able to engage in enterprises like barber shops, welding and electrical posho mills alongside lighting their homes at night.
“Even security in the area has improved,” said Moses Wekesi a resident.
The event was attended by the Member of Parliament for Kanduyi John Makali and his Sirisia counterpart John Waluke, among others.
By Catherine Nyongesa
