Government targets universal power connection for 15.6 million homes

The government has initiated an ambitious strategy to ensure every household in Kenya is connected to the national electricity grid within the next three years. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki confirmed the plan during a development tour in Nyeri County, where he commissioned several electrification projects intended to bridge the energy gap in rural areas.

According to the Deputy President, the administration is focused on reaching all 15.6 million homes in the country. He noted that universal access to power is a fundamental requirement for the nation to elevate its economic profile. Kindiki emphasized that extending the grid to every village is a priority for the current leadership.

Official data indicates that 1.3 million new connections have been completed since the administration took office in 2022. This brings the total number of connected households to nearly 11 million. The government now faces the task of onboarding the remaining 4.6 million homes to meet its universal electrification goal.

During his visit to Kieni Constituency, Kindiki commissioned the electrification of Maragima village alongside five other local projects. The government has allocated Sh750 million for Nyeri County to facilitate 9,500 new connections. Of this amount, Kieni Constituency received Sh450 million to power 3,500 homes.

The Ministry of Energy has received instructions to fast-track these installations. Kindiki stated that the President has directed the ministry to remove hurdles that delay the completion of last-mile projects. The objective is to ensure that infrastructure delivery matches the pace of the country’s growing energy demands.

The Deputy President linked the power expansion to broader infrastructure developments. He mentioned that the electricity rollout will coincide with the completion of stalled roads, modern markets, and water projects. He pointed out that the stability of the economy has allowed the government to resume work on sites that contractors had previously abandoned.

Specific focus remains on the Nyeri-Nanyuki-Isiolo highway expansion and the Mau Mau roads. Kindiki assured residents that the government has secured sufficient funding to complete approximately 6,000 kilometers of ongoing road works nationwide. He noted that timely payments to contractors are now a standard procedure to prevent further project delays.

The push for universal connection is part of a larger effort to transition Kenya toward a more industrialised economy. Kindiki remarked that the availability of reliable power in every home and market center will create jobs and improve the quality of life for citizens in underserved regions.

As the government ramps up these efforts, the collaboration between the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation and Kenya Power remains central to the delivery of the last-mile program. The administration expects the visible impact of these projects to serve as a primary indicator of its development record.