4.7 Billion Towards Last Mile Connectivity Project Across Coast Region, CS Wandayi
Energy and petroleum cabinet secretary Opiyo Wandayi (Photo/ Robby Ngomba)
By Robby Ngoba
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
The government has set aside Ksh4.7 billion towards the Last Mile Connectivity Project across the Coast Region.
Addressing residents at Moto ground in Rabai Constituency and after launching the project at Rabai Power in Kilifi County, Energy and petroleum cabinet secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the government was determined in scaling up the lives of its citizens by supplying them with electricity.
He said the move was part of the efforts to scale up the last mile electricity connectivity programme in achieving the goal of universal access to electricity by 2030.
“Learning institutions and healthcare facilities will also be included in this programme. I urge Kenyans to be patient as the government is progressively doing this work. We will not exclude anybody so long your house is located within 600m of a transformer,” he said.
According to him Kilifi County government project will cost Ksh1.9 billion with Rabai constituency getting Ksh5 million expected to provide electricity to over 25,000 households.
“The initiative is expected to enable powering of agribusiness and the blue economy, by unlocking new opportunities.”
The Last Mile Connectivity Project is co-financed by the national government and the African Development Bank (AfDB) which involved the extension of low-voltage network to reach households located within 600m of a transformer.
To benefit from the project, residents are supposed to pay Ksh15,000.
Area MP Kenga Mupe on his part urged residents to take advantage of the power to engage in business.
According to him the initiative is not just bringing power to homes but its also organically invigorating the community on matters of economy.
“With a target of connecting about 25,000 households, the project is not just lightning up homes but also igniting aspirations and fostering economic growth,” he said.
He also called on the government to set aside special fund that will increase rural electricity connections.
Kilifi deputy governor Flora Chibule acknowledged the broad-based government under President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga.
She disclosed that the County has set aside Ksh30 million matching fund partnership with Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Cooperation (REREC) in a bid to boost rural electricity connections.
