Government to spend Sh500 million on rural electrification in Tana

HUSSEIN ABDULLAHI-KNA

The national government will spend Sh500 million to accelerate rural electrification projects in Tana River County, connecting 4,000 households to the national power grid.

The initiative is part of the Ministry of Energy’s efforts to achieve universal electricity access across the country through multiple high-impact rural electrification projects, with a strong focus on renewable energy and off-grid solutions.

Remote communities in Tana River have lived without electricity for decades and have long awaited connection to the national grid.

Development experts have long viewed energy as a catalyst for economic growth and social progress, noting that Tana River has the highest number of people without access to electricity in the country.

Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi, said the government aims to expand electricity access in some of the most underserved communities.

He emphasized that increasing access to energy remains a top priority, particularly for rural and hard-to-reach areas.

CS Wandayi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to rural electrification initiatives, aiming to close the country’s electricity access gap.

Wandayi says the government will be lighting up villages in far flung areas of the country by scaling up renewable energy programmes through the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).

The CS, who was accompanied by Garsen MP Ali Wario and REREC General Manager for Information, Education and Communication Beatrice Njuguna was speaking when he launched rural electrification schemes in Gubani and Dibe settlements in Garsen sub county of Tana River.

In Gubani village REREC commissioned a Sh9.8 million electrification project which includes a 2.25km low voltage line and a transformer which has seen 164 new customers connected to the power grid.

REREC also launched a Sh25 million electrification project in Dibe village where 141 new customers were connected to power.

“These Garsen projects reflect the government’s vision of leaving no community behind in national development,” said Wandayi.

“It is the first time this rural electrification project is reaching remote areas of the country and in Tana River for instance many communities have stayed in darkness for many decades,” he said.

He said the schemes mark a significant milestone in efforts to expand electricity access and improve the lives of rural communities who have long been in darkness.

Wandayi stated that the rural electrification schemes by REREC across the country align with the government’s aspirations for inclusive development and universal access to electricity.

“As a ministry we are lighting up villages, empowering communities and bridging the rural-urban energy divide,” he said.

The minister underscored the government’s determination to ensure that no community is left behind in the country’s energy transformation agenda.

“The rural electrification projects will enhance service delivery and stimulate economies in remote and historically underserved areas,” he said.

He said the new electricity connections will transform rural lives and benefit households, business centers, schools, and health centers thereby fostering inclusive development.