More homes in Kenya will benefit from rural lighting programme. This comes after the Government has mobilised over Ksh60 billion from development partners to supply clean and affordable energy to all Kenyans under the Last Mile Connectivity Programme (LMCP).
According to Energy Principal Secretary Eng Joseph Njoroge, the implementation of the Last Mile Connectivity Programme aims to spur socio-economic development and enhance security across the country.
World Bank and African Development Bank were among the financiers of LMCP, with each institution providing Ksh15 billion. Under the programme, more than 1.2 million households will benefit annually for the next three years.
“We want to get rid of this type of source of light from our households,” PS Njoroge said while he lit informal settlements in Thika town recently, assuring of Government commitment to providing clean and affordable energy for all citizens.
LMCP was being implemented in three phases with Phase 1 targeting to connect 3.4 million Kenyans whose homes are located near transformers. Phase II aims to increase the number of transformers while Phase III will target reaching off-grid areas.
“We have reduced connection rates to Ksh15,000, to be paid in a payment arrangement spread over several months,” said the PS, adding that the move was meant to enhance equality among Kenyans in the use of electricity as envisaged in Article 10 of the Constitution besides enabling citizens to engage in more development endeavours.
“It does not matter whether you live in a permanent or a mud house, Kenyans have equal lights to access electricity services,” he said, calling on the citizens to support the Government efforts to develop the nation.