Rural power connection to spark growth

By taking electricity connections to hitherto remote and dark villages, Kenya Power could finally shine light and spark an economic revolution in hitherto poor regions.

Easily available energy could provide decent income generating opportunities to disillusioned youths in Kenya’s forgotten regions.

It could turn out to be a master stroke in the struggle against abject poverty and hopelessness in areas long considered ‘difficult’ to develop.

The ‘devolved’ energy could and should help millions of young people start thriving cottage industries right outside their homes. This should gradually tilt the country to middle income status in a few years. The skilled youth could open small wielding stalls right inside their villages where they will not be asked to pay rent or exorbitant power costs. The county governments should then facilitate ways of getting lucrative markets for their products.

During an eye-opening trip to Shanghai in China recently, I was amazed by their efficient use of space and support given to small enterprises. Small-sized factories in ten by ten plots produce an amazing number of items in a 24-hour shift, where youths work in 4-hour sessions. The cottage industry, powered by reliable and cheaper power produce cloth items, plastic containers, shoes and other mass market items, and in the process provides decent income for millions of young Chinese. This can also be replicated here with unity of purpose and a committed political leadership.

Today, when most youths come of age, they troop to the urban centres to look for jobs. But only a few get white collar jobs even for those with diploma and degree certificates. In the day to day struggle for survival, in far from home town, some desperate youths fall into temptations for a quick buck and easily join crime. Successful small-time ventures in the village could easily dissuade majority of youths from this trap of crime.

We would also solve congestion and mushrooming of slums in our cities. Decently occupied young people in their home counties would find no excuse into scrambling for dwindling opportunities in towns. With sustainable incomes for most young people, their buying power will significantly go high and provide markets for the same items they produce in their small but efficient enterprises.

In the meantime, let Kenya Power, the national and county governments work prudently and take power to rural areas. The sparkle should be lighter and every Kenyan will be the better for it - poor or rich.