Kirinyaga: Transforming communities through the last mile connectivity

“Not yet Uhuru” is a term that has for long resonated well with the fate of Joyland Community in Ndia Ward of Kirinyaga County.

It has taken this community sixty years, after independence to get out of darkness despite its proximity to the Seven Forks Dams celebrated for power generation by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).

The community has been agitating for connection to the national grid for 12 good years but in vain, as households, schools and other vital institutions thrived in darkness.

Their misery is, however, about to be a thing of the past courtesy of the reassuring Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Program commissioned in the area by President William Ruto five months ago.

In a transformative leap toward progress, the Programme is shining a light on Joyland homes following its launch in August 2024.

The initiative is designed to provide electricity to every household within 600 metres of a transformer and is not just bringing power to homes but it’s also organically invigorating the community wholly on matters economy.

“With a target of connecting 5,795 homes, the program is not just lighting up houses but also igniting aspirations and fostering economic growth,” the Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga says.

Chidzuga made the remarks when she led a team from the Office of Government Spokesperson on a tour of the projects being put up under the programme.

She was accompanied by Kirinyaga County Commissioner Allasow Hussein.

The aim was to communicate the success of the programme and give hope to other unserved areas.

To the community, the initiative is a beacon of hope and unprecedented progress as its ripple effects are already being felt across the community.

Local businesses are flourishing, with residents establishing barber shops, salons, and food stalls.

 Mutugi Mutugi, an upcoming business owner selling samosas and “chapati” at the Joyland junction, highlighted the significant changes brought about by the electricity connection.

 “Now I can stay open late, thanks to street lights. Soon I am opening up a teashop here, to boost my business. With the connectivity, I can also watch business programs on TV that inspire me with new business ideas," Mutugi said.

 Businesses in Joyland are increasing by day and proprietors are coming up with more innovative ideas to increase sales even as the connection to electricity correspondingly, instigated the opening of doors for education and job opportunities.

 A resident, Christine Njeri, shares how her son, who graduated and struggled to find a job, can now perform online jobs from home.

 "Now that I am connected to power, I want to install a WIFI connection so that he can comfortably do online jobs. Further, I can now rear chicken without much inconvenience and sell eggs, which has improved my family’s financial situation,” she says, emphasising the economic independence that electricity brings.

Among the many beneficiaries is Mama Caroline Wanjira, a 67-year-old resident who benefited from the connectivity and received a visit from President Ruto during the commissioning.

 “I am happy that the president fulfilled his promise within his two years in office,” she states, reflecting on how the electricity connection has empowered her household and business.

 After living in darkness for 67 years, Mama Wanjira now can cultivate vegetables through irrigation by using power to pump water to her garden and save the Sh50 she always spent in buying vegetables at the market. She is also able to grow more for sale.

 “I can finally feed my family and sell the surplus,” she added with a smile.

 She recounted how she used to fetch water from a borehole, a tiring chore for an elderly woman. Now, she is able to save both time and effort, further enhancing her family’s well-being.

 Inclusivity remains a key focus of this initiative.

Wilson Kariuki, a resident with a disability, expressed gratitude for the changes in his life.

“We can now access essential services like incubators to enhance our chicken-rearing businesses, at home.

 "This connection is changing lives,” he remarked, highlighting how the program supports the most vulnerable members of the community.

 Mwanaisha Chidzuga, emphasised the broader implications of the Last Mile Connectivity Program noting that the initiative was not just about electricity; but about transforming lives and providing opportunities for all.

“We urge residents to take advantage of the Inua Jamii Initiatives and Uwezo Trust Funds, among other government initiatives, to further support their economic growth,” she stated.

 As the Last Mile Connectivity Programme continues to evolve across the country, Joyland stands as a testament to resilience and hope for all Kenyans by lighting their way to a brighter and more prosperous future.

Nanis Kathure works at the Office of Government Spokesperson as a PSIP Intern