•MD reiterated commitment to enhance the well-being of the local communities in the areas of its operation across the country.
•KenGen used about Sh5.3 million towards environmental preservation through the planting of 80,000 seedlings.
Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC has invested more than Sh70 million in community projects in Sondu, Kisumu county.
The company’s managing director Peter Njenga said the multimillion investments listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange targets to transform the livelihoods of the community.
Njenga, who spoke at the Sondu-Miriu Power Station on Monday, reiterated the company's commitment to enhance the well-being of the local communities in the areas of its operation across the country.
He said the company’s corporate social responsibility focuses on three strategic pillars: education, environment, water and sanitation.
The MD said the pillars were arrived at in consultation with the communities who are the partners in the delivery of the company’s mandate of electricity generation.
KenGen has spent Sh850,000 to sponsor secondary school students over the past two years and provided university scholarships significantly improving access to education in the area.
“This has translated to brighter futures for many young individuals who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to pursue higher education, ultimately enhancing their career prospects and contributing to the overall educational landscape of the region,” Njenga said.
Besides education, the company has ensured consistent access to clean and safe water to communities, both at Sondu and Gogo power stations through the installation of water points, water pumps and boreholes.
The company also has rolled out a project to supply potable water to bereaved community members twice a week.
So far, KenGen has spent more than Sh5 million on various water projects. Njenga said they have used about Sh5.3 million towards environmental preservation through the planting of 80,000 seedlings, reinforcing its dedication to a sustainable future.
“This not only contributed to greener surroundings but also supported the broader ecological balance, making the region a more sustainable and healthier place to live,” he said.
Further, the MD said the improvements in infrastructure, such as left bank and right bank intake road enhancements, had a direct and visible impact on the community.
The upgraded roads have facilitated better transportation and connectivity, benefiting approximately 10,000 residents.
Njenga said the Sh58 million infrastructure development not only improved accessibility but also spurred economic and social development in the region.
“KenGen’s dedication to community development and CSR remains unwavering, making a substantial impact on the lives of individuals in the Sondu-Miriu Power Station region,” he said.
The investment signifies the company's role as a catalyst for positive change, actively enhancing the quality of life and fostering sustainable development within the local communities it serves.