Thousands of households in Nakuru County are set to benefit from a Ksh2.6 billion electrification drive launched by President William Ruto under the government’s last mile connectivity programme.
The project, implemented by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), will connect 22, 568 households to the national grid across all 11 constituencies in the county.
Speaking during the launch in Nakuru East, President Ruto said the initiative is part of the government’s plan to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030 and spur rural economic growth.
“Reliable electricity is critical for enterprise, education and healthcare. This investment will ensure more households, schools and health centres have access to power,” said the President.
REREC has invested Ksh753 million in the county, complementing Kenya Power’s ongoing projects worth Ksh2.48 billion funded through support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the European Union.
In Kuresoi North alone, REREC has channelled Ksh145 million to connect at least 3, 500 to power.
Across the county, similar projects in constituencies such as Molo, Gilgil, Rongai, and Naivasha are at various stages of completion, with several already commissioned.
Since its establishment, REREC has invested about Ksh150 billion in electrification, raising Kenya’s electricity access rate from 4 percent in 2008 to over 75 percent.
Through its cost-sharing Matching Fund programme, REREC has also partnered with counties and the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) to deliver additional projects.
