Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) is calling on County Governments and Members of Parliament to partner in accelerating electricity connections for communities nationwide.
Speaking Wednesday during the ongoing Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, REREC Information Education & Communication General Manager, Beatrice Njuguna emphasized that the electrification program thrives on joint funding, where counties and MPs commit part of their budgets to complement the Corporation’s investment.
“This is a nationwide program involving all County Governments and MPs. When they come on board with their budgets, we can connect more homes, schools, and businesses to electricity,” Njuguna said.
According to REREC, as at 30th June 2025, the total funds mobilized under the matching fund programme for the last eleven financial years from 2014/2015 to 2024/25 is Kshs.4 billion both from County Governments, NG-CDF and the Corporation.
Of this amount Kshs.1.4 billion has been mobilized from County Governments, Kshs.830 million from NG-CDF and Kshs.1.8 billion from the Corporation.
In the last financial year, the county has given Ksh. 40 million while REREC has matched it by Ksh. 40 million to make a total of Ksh. 80 million, which has managed 40 projects in the whole county.
Remarkable Growth Through Partnerships
Njuguna noted that the collaboration model is yielding remarkable growth.
Among the beneficiaries of one of the projects- Kotora primary and village project, is a shop that now operates with a reliable power supply, enabling it to better serve the surrounding community.
“In Homa Bay, the County Government allocated Ksh 1 million to Kotora primary and village project in Rangwe Constituency, Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation matched the funding with 1 million, expanding the initiative at a total cost of Ksh 2 million to reach 32 beneficiaries, including households, businesses, a church, and the school itself.” Said Nunguna.
In the last financial year, county and constituency partnerships contributed to projects worth over Ksh 300 million. This year, the figure has risen to more than Ksh 500 million representing growth of about 60 pc.
While acknowledging the strides made, she said the Corporation aims to push this growth towards 80 pc or even 100 pc in the coming years.
The Energy Corporation is encouraging more leaders to commit resources and join the effort, underscoring that the impact goes beyond lighting homes it powers economic growth, education, and community development.
On his part, REREC General Manager, Power Distribution and Regional Coordination James Muriuki reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to powering rural Kenya through its Matching Fund Programme, a cost-sharing initiative with county governments and MPs via the NG-CDF powering villages, schools, markets, health facilities, and homes since 2014, transforming local economies.
Eng. Muriuki noted that each constituency can contribute up to Ksh5 million, matched by Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation.
“In 2025/2026, REREC allocated Ksh8 billion for nationwide implementation, prioritising areas with low electricity access.” Said Eng. Muriuki. Adding that: “Electricity is opening up rural businesses, improving security, and enabling students to study beyond daylight hours. We encourage all counties and MPs to partner with us.”
Local Leaders Welcome the Impact
Leaders from across the country are already seeing the benefits of the program and have welcomed the initiative as progressive.
In an interview with KBC, the Speaker, Kwale County Assembly, Seth Kamanza emphasized the transformative impact rural electrification has had on communities, enabling residents to own refrigerators and store perishable goods such as fish, without relying on distant markets or trading centres.
“Rural electrification has enabled households to own refrigerators, eliminating the need to travel to markets for food storage. Families can now preserve fish and other foods at home, improving convenience and reducing spoilage. In the past, lighting relied on costly kerosene lamps, but electricity has cut these expenses. Residents thank the government and urge continued efforts to ensure all villages have reliable power,” he noted.
He remarked that: “With the ongoing electrification programme, we will move away from that label of ‘The Dark Continent of the World.’ We will progress and be seen in the same light as countries that have already developed.”
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Kitui County Agriculture CEC Stephen Mbaya noted that: “The County Government of Kitui is working with to connect homes to electricity under a matching grant program. This means more light for our homes, more opportunities for our youth, and more growth for our economy.”
From Busia County, Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Amukura West, Boniface Erute remarked that: “I’m proud to note that my ward has been a beneficiary of the Matching Fund Programme. Today, small businesses are able to operate until late hours, boosting economic activity.”
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At the same time, Bonventure Makokha, Bukhayo Central MCA in Busia County noted that: “I am grateful because, in the 2023–2024 budget, I was able to allocate some funds for a maximization project. REREC then supplemented this through the Equalization Fund and proceeded to carry out the maximization of one of the transformers in my ward.”
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REREC is now urging all County Governments and Members of Parliament to come on board and join hands in expanding electrification across Kenya.
“We are calling on all County Governments and Members of Parliament to join hands with the Energy Corporation to expand electrification across Kenya. Together, we can light up the nation.” Njuguna urged.
Ongoing projects
The Corporation in a statement says it is on course to connect at least 10,900 households in Mt Kenya to the grid by the close of the year.
It is currently undertaking a total of 109 rural electrification projects in six counties of Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Murang’a, Marsabit and Nyeri at a total cost of Ksh 1.79 billion.
“These projects are expected to connect approximately 10,900 households upon completion and are targeted for completion by 31st December 2025,” said the REREC.
In Nyeri County, REREC is targeting to implement a total of 33 rural electrification projects for 2023/24 and 2024/25 fiscal years in Kieni, Mathira, Mukurweini, Nyeri Town, Othaya and Tetu to the tune of Ksh 243.58 million.
The projects in Nyeri County are funded by the both the government of Kenya and development partners and targets to connect 1,754 households upon completion.
Also read https://www.kbc.co.ke/kitui-residents-to-benefit-from-rural-electrification-partnership/
