Sh12b AfDB funding to expand rural electrification across the country-CS
Philip Onyango-KNA
The Government has secured Sh12 billion funding from the Africa Development bank, (AfDB) to support electricity connectivity across the country, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, James Opiyo Wandayi has said.
Wandayi said the money will be used to expand rural electrification in all the constituencies in the country, adding that the government was committed to development of all the regions.
He was speaking at Obambo Kadhai Village in Alego – Usonga Constituency, Siaya, after commissioning a rural electrification project that was undertaken by the rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
The project will connect over 100 households to the national grid.
The Cabinet Secretary said Siaya County was poised to benefit from electricity connectivity projects worth Sh1.2 billion during this financial year.
He said the amount included projects worth Sh450 million being undertaken by REREC and another valued at Sh830 million to be implemented by Kenya Power.
Wandayi at the same time called on employees of the semi-autonomous government agencies under his Ministry to be committed to their work and serve Kenyans diligently.
He especially challenged employees of Kenya Power to pull up their socks, adding that it will not be business as usual.
“The government, has invested heavily in infrastructure for generation, transmission and distribution of electricity across the country,” Wandayi said, adding that with the government having done its part of allocating resources to ensure citizens get services, it is now the duty of the officers to appreciate that their employers are the people by ensuring electricity supply.
Alego – Usonga MP, Samuel Atandi thanked the government for the electricity projects in his constituency.
Atandi urged the residents to support the government and called on those opposed to it to give President William Ruto a room to govern.