Kabondo West residents, Rachuonyo East sub-county, have called on the government to consider the area during the ongoing Last Mile electricity connectivity project.
They decried that since the Sh2.1 billion Last Mile project targeting 25,000 households in Homabay County began, more than 500 households spanning Kamwangi, Kolal and Karateng villages in Kabondo Kasipul constituency were still in the dark
“For years now, we have remained without connection to the national grid, leaving residents relying on costly solar panels, lanterns and kerosene lamps,” said Lawrence Ouma, area youth leader.
He said Kabondo West has never seen an electricity pole or wire, while other villages are lit up through the Last Mile connectivity.
The youth leader lamented that local children are forced to study using kerosene lamps, which, over time, ruin their eyes.
“This severe lack of electricity is actively killing local commerce and keeping our youths jobless,” a resident, Selina Juma, told journalists who visited her home.
Selina said she has never flipped a light switch in her house since the government launched Last Mile Connectivity projects across Homa Bay, and therefore, she feels like her sub-location has been completely forgotten.
On his part, Peter Keya said they cannot establish basic businesses like cyber cafés, welding workshops, or posho mills for lack of power.
“We are forced to travel miles to Ramula or other distant trading centres just to charge phones or access digital government services. We need the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) to map out our villages,” he said.
The locals are now petitioning the Ministry of Energy and REREC to consider their plea and provide electricity to open up the region to economic opportunities for the youth.
By Daniel Muthengi
