Sh161m power projects to benefit 3,552 Nyeri residents

The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation is implementing six power projects to benefit 3,552 households in Nyeri county.

The Sh161.27 million projects are expected to boost the county's economy while enhancing security in the villages.

The projects will cover Kieni, Mathira, Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri Town, Othaya and Tetu constituencies.

In Kieni, Rerec is implementing eight electrification projects to connect 456 households to power.

Some of the projects include Bagamoyo that will cover 147 households and Kirima Jet to benefit 140 homes.

Energy PS Alex Wachira, who launched the two projects on Monday, said such projects have an impact that extends beyond the provision of electricity as they foster economic transformation and provide jobs to residents.

The PS said rural electrification improves the lives of residents by easing their farming practices.  

He said the government is implementing Sh42 billion last mile projects across the country.

“The government has plans to ensure by 2030, there is 100 per cent electrification. We've been to Mbeere, Murang’a and Bomet to launch similar projects and we will be heading to Taita Taveta and Kakamega next,” Wachira said.

Rerec is also in the process of implementing 326 rural electrification projects in nine counties in the Mt Kenya region at Sh2.1 billion.

The counties are Murang’a, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, Marsabit, Laikipia, Isiolo and Embu. Some 14,982 households will benefit.

With budget cuts of about Sh14.5 billion expected in the sector following the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024, the PS said projects implementation may slow down. He, however, assured Kenyans his department will do its best to ensure as many homes as possible are connected to power.

“These funds would have given a huge boost to the last mile rural electrification but we are liaising with development partners to see if they can bridge the gap left by the budget cuts,” he said.

He said should revenue collection improve, the sector may have some increment of funds in the supplementary budget that would help accelerate power connectivity.

Francis Muruga from Ebenezer village said, “Power is equivalent to development. Once this project is over, our markets and schools will be connected and our lives will never be the same again.”