NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenyan government is ramping up efforts to achieve full electricity connectivity, targeting at least 10 million households by 2025.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira revealed this during a recent visit to Nyeri County, where he oversaw the implementation of the Last Mile Connectivity Program, an initiative already transforming lives across the country.
Currently, over 9.7 million Kenyans are connected to the national power grid, a significant step toward the Ministry of Energy’s goal of 100pc electricity access by 2030.
Wachira shared that plans are underway to connect an additional 25,000 customers by 2025, crossing the 10 million milestone within the next year.
“Electricity is a key enabler of development,” said Wachira. “With this connection, residents can start small businesses like barber shops, posho mills, and welding workshops.”
In Gikamba sub-location, Nyeri County, Wachira witnessed the electrification of 314 homes as part of the Last Mile Connectivity Program. Residents who had lived without electricity for over 50 years hailed the project as life-changing.
One resident, Kenfred Mwenda, described how access to electricity will enable him to venture into a cybercafé business. “Our laptops have been gathering dust because we only used them at university. Now, we can start small businesses like cybercafés and movie shops,” he said.
The program, spearheaded by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), has connected approximately 800,000 Kenyans to the grid in just two years.
Local dairy farmer James Ndereba expressed optimism about the transformative potential of electricity in the region. “Now we can mechanize our farming with equipment like chaff cutters, increasing productivity and profits,” he said.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap in underserved areas, unlocking opportunities for mechanized farming, small enterprises, and more.
