Energy PS urges Kenyans to support government’s divestiture programme

By COAST Reporter

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

Energy principal secretary Alex Wachira has urged Kenyans to rally behind the government’s divestiture programme saying the initiative will unlock funding needed to expand electricity access under the Last Mile Connectivity Project among other projects.

Wachira explained that proceeds from the divestiture, including the sale of shares in companies such as Safaricom, would help the government settle loan repayments and free up resources to connect more households to the national grid.

Speaking during a public engagement forum at the Ganda Chief’s Office in Ganda Ward, Malindi Constituency, Wachira noted that electricity remains a critical enabler of development noting that demand was rising sharply across the country.

“Electricity is the key enabler of rural transformation. It opens up villages economically and gives people dignity,” he said.

According to him the government had allocated Sh2.2 billion to connect 25,359 households in Kilifi County with Malindi constituency allocated Sh195 million to connect 2,304 households.

This, he said, was part of a country-wide project being implemented through funding from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union (EU), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Kenya through the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).

Wachira emphasised that access to electricity was transforming lives, and cited the example of a young man in Mashamba village who has opened a barbershop thanks to power supply while others are investing in irrigation systems and small enterprises.

The PS, who was accompanied by Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi and Dr Rose Mkalama, the managing director of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), had earlier launched last mile projects at Mashamba and Fundi Hamisi villages in Ganda Ward.

Early this week, the Kenya Pipeline Corporation launched an Electronic Initial Public Offer (E-IPO) to sell more than 11.81 billion shares worth about Sh163.6 billion to Kenyans.

The government’s plan to offload 15 percent of its stake in Safaricom to South Africa’s Vodacom for approximately Sh204.3 billion is in progress, but it has faced opposition from, among others, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, who claims the shares have been grossly undervalued.

Legislator Mnyazi welcomed the last mile connectivity project in her constituency noting that projects in Ganda, Malindi Town and Shella Wards are already underway at various stages of completion.

However, she stressed that more needs to be done, pointing out that 15 sites in Jilore Ward, 17 in Ganda Ward and seven in Malindi Town and Shella remain without electricity.

She called for increased allocations from the Equalisation Fund to address the gaps.

“This project is a game changer for our people. We have already launched projects in Ganda, Malindi Town Ward and Shella. Two are complete and one is at 70 percent.”

Residents expressed relief and optimism, saying electricity has already reduced crime and created opportunities for youth.

Mama Florence Fumbi, a village elder from Mashamba, said darkness had fuelled theft and insecurity for years, but with 360 families now connected, the community feels safer.

Nyiro Nguma Kalama added that power will enable young people to start small businesses, while those with boreholes can venture into irrigation farming and maize milling.

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