Rerec, Busia County partner to connect 600 households with electricity
Counties
By
Daniel Kariuki
| Mar 12, 2024
Busia governor Paul Otuoma and Rerec Ag GM Beatrice Njuguna among other county officials during a ceremonial pole erection at the project location. [Daniel Kariuki, Standard]
The County government of Busia has partnered with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) to connect more than 600 households to the national grid.
The programme was launched by Governor Paul Otuoma and officials from Rerec and will be rolled out in 24 schemes.
The project is set to cost Sh75 million with the county committing Sh40 million and Rerec matching the fund to the tune of Sh35 million to light up the schemes.
It will spread across 5 sub-counties namely: Samia, Matayos, Teso North, Teso South, and Butula.
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Governor Otuoma said that the project would see 667 households connected to electricity.
"We still have got many areas to cover, we are coming up with Industrial Parks and Export Processing Zones which require energy," he said.
The governor further appealed to Rerec to liaise with Kenya Power and fast-track the metering process immediately after a scheme is connected to the grid.
"So, we will be looking forward to seeing whether a collaborative effort can be developed between REREC, KPLC, and the Counties to ensure that once the project is completed, the metering process should not take too long for people to start using electricity," he said.
Rerec Acting General Manager for Information, Education, and Communication Beatrice Njuguna, reiterated the Corporation's commitment to partner with the counties and Constituencies saying the move would help accelerate electrification in the country.
"We have other Counties which have come forth for the matching programme like Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Makueni among others," she said.
She was addressing the residents of Nambuku/Namboboto Ward in Samia sub-county on behalf of REREC's Chief Executive Officer Dr Rose Mkalama.
According to Ms Njuguna, the project is of the Corporation's strategic plan which was launched recently. She also unveiled the shilling-for-shilling collaboration.
"The corporation will be undertaking a project worth Sh75 million, the County government has injected Sh40 million into the project while the corporation has matched it with Sh35 million," added Njuguna.
The benefitting wards include Nambuku/Namboboto, Bwiri, Busibwabo, Bukhayo West, Angurai East, Angurai South, Malaba North, Malaba Central, Amukura West, Chako North and Marachi West.
The Corporation is also implementing other electrification projects in all seven constituencies in the County for Sh360 million.