NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya Power is making significant strides in electrifying the nation, thanks to a Sh1.85 billion grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
This funding will facilitate the connection of 9,121 households across Nakuru, Kilifi, Kwale, and Nyandarua counties under Phase V of the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP).
Rosemary Oduor, General Manager for Commercial Services and Sales at Kenya Power, emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding electricity access.
“We expect to connect all the targeted households across the four counties by January 2025. The Company is committed to fast-tracking electricity connections across the country to achieve universal access to electricity,” said Oduor.
This phase is part of a broader effort to ensure every household in Kenya has access to reliable power, aligning with the Kenya National Electrification Strategy developed in 2015.
JICA’s support follows Kenya Power’s recent signing of twenty-six contracts for the implementation of Phase IV of the LMCP, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to the tune of Ksh 27 billion.
This phase aims to connect at least 280,000 new customers to the grid by November 2025. Oduor expressed gratitude for JICA’s contribution, highlighting its potential to transform lives by providing much-needed electricity to thousands of households.
Kenya Power’s investments in the LMCP are substantial, with a total of Ksh 73.1 billion allocated to date.
This ambitious project has already significantly boosted the country’s electricity access rate, which now stands at 76pc of the population, translating to 9.6 million households connected to the grid.
The first three phases alone have seen 746,867 households receive electricity at a cost of Ksh 51.1 billion.
The expansion of the national grid is more than just a technical achievement—it’s a transformative development for communities across Kenya.
Access to electricity means improved living standards, better educational opportunities, and enhanced economic activities.
The ongoing support from international partners like JICA, AFD, the EU, and the EIB underscores the global commitment to Kenya’s development goals.
