The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (Rerec) is in the process of connecting 14,695 households to electricity in the Mount Kenya region.
The project is estimated to cost Sh 2.1 billion.
The corporation is implementing 322 rural electrification projects in the region, which are expected to bring transformation to people who largely depend on farming.
On Friday, June 7, Rerec board director Mark Nderitu presided over the commissioning of the Rugongo Ruraya electrification project.
It saw over 228 customers get connected to the grid at a cost of about Sh9 million shillings.
The function which was also graced by Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro saw among other facilities a school and two tea-buying centres connected to the grid.
“We are empowering you to start business ventures, implement value addition for your produce as well as work for longer hours, especially at the tea buying centres,” said Nderitu.
Residents, including Luka Gituiku, could not hide their joy because of the newfound resource.
“We have been experiencing a lot of theft, especially the green tea leaves at the buying centres, people go there early in the morning and because there is no light, some take advantage of the darkness to steal from fellow farmers,” he said.
Residents said that lack of electricity had also led to strife among families, with women complaining of strained relationships with their spouses, especially when they burnt their husband’s clothes while ironing them with charcoal iron boxes.
In Muranga County, the corporation is currently implementing 87 rural electrification projects in the seven constituencies of Kigumo, Gatanga, Kandara, Kangema, Kiharu, Maragwa and Mathioya at Sh434 million.
These projects are expected to connect approximately 6,000 households upon completion.
In Kigumo Constituency, five rural electrification projects will connect approximately 515 households for Sh30 million.
“The impact of Rerec’s electrification projects extend far beyond the provision of electricity, as they foster economic growth, improve livelihoods and enhance opportunities for the people in rural areas,” said its General Manager in charge of Information, Education and Communication Beatrice Njuguna.
MP Munyoro thanked Rerec for completing the project within the stipulated timeline and also disclosed that he had handed the corporation Sh5 million.
Under this arrangement, an MP contributes five million shillings through the Constituency Development Fund, while Rerec matches the money for project implementation.
The area MP is then given the leeway to decide where he or she wants the project implemented.
Apart from Murang’a, Rerec is undertaking similar projects in Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Isiolo, Laikipia, Marsabit, Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties.
On Monday, June 10, Energy and Petroleum PS Alex Wachira is expected to commission electricity projects implemented by Rerec in the Mukurweini Constituency.
