Kenya has disclosed plans to increase the country’s electricity connection rate to 83% by bringing electricity connections to over 500,000 homes through the Acceleration Programme and the Last Mile Connectivity Programme.
The projects, jointly implemented by Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation, will electrify 480,000 to 600,000 by the end of 2025.
This project is part of Kena’s plans to increase its electricity connectivity rate from 77% to 83% by the end of 2025.
The government noted that increased access to power will spur economic growth and job creation nationwide.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira revealed that the government will spend KSh 54 billion ($417.5 million) to connect 480,000 to 600,000 homes to the national grid, with a focus on 14 under-connected counties.
Secretary Wachira stated that the financing consists of two parts, with KSh 12 billion ($108 million) for the Acceleration Programme and KSh 42 billion ($324.7 million) for the Last Mile Connectivity Programme.
Speaking to reporters at Thika East sub-county, Secretary Wachira said both programmes are still in progress, with several houses already connected to the grid.
Wachira said Mount Kenya received KSh 10.3 billion ($79.6 million) in energy connections, and KSh 419 million ($3.2 million) being allocated to Kiambu county alone to connect 2,700 households.
“That is what we will be doing until November of this year, before we begin another African Development Bank-funded programme.
“By 2030, this will enable us to reach 100% universal electricity coverage and speed up power connectivity,” Secretary Wachira said.
He added that the initiative is an essential component of Kenya’s long-term development plan and demonstrates the government’s dedication to empowering local people by providing services and infrastructure that promote the bottom-up agenda.
Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy CEO Rose Mukalama said the connections will be provided free of charge, cautioning that no one should request payment as the government has fully funded the expenses.
The African Development Bank has been funding electricity projects in Kenya, the latest being the Lake Turkana Wind Power project which generates 310 megawatts (MW) and supplies 17% of Kenya’s electricity.
