The Government has allocated KSh.2.1 billion to connect over 32,000 households to electricity in Bungoma County under the Last Mile Connectivity Program.
Speaking in Sitikho ward, Webuye West constituency, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum James Opiyo Wandayi said many residents in Webuye West and Cheptais in Mt. Elgon have lived without electricity for a long time.
“KSh2.1 billion has been budgeted towards electricity connection to over 32,000 households in remote areas in Bungoma County courtesy of Kenya Kwanza government,” he noted.
Further, he stated that President William Ruto has put in place strategies to ensure that every area in the country has access to electricity.
“What we can do as Kenyans is to support the government in power instead of being misled by the opposition,” Wandayi argued.
Wandayi revealed that the government is intensifying efforts to ensure areas which have been in darkness are connected to electricity and help residents do business.
“With power the face of various places in Bungoma County is going to change in terms of business, education standards will improve and service delivery in hospitals since all will be connected to power.
“The president wants to change the narrative of power being viewed as an essential for the rich only by having every household connected to power,” Wandayi noted.
Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama commended government for the project, saying that many residents have been suffering from lack of power, which has contributed to social unrest, especially at night.
“Electricity connectivity was president Ruto agenda even before he got into power. Even the lowest earning Kenyans need to be connected to electricity since they pay electricity unlike in the past where the rich were the ones being given special attention,” Wanyama noted.
Bungoma County deputy governor Jenipher Mbatiany said the programme under the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation will transform lives of the people by enhancing the growth and success of small enterprises.
“Good working relationship with the county and national government has contributed to development in counties thus transforming peoples’ lives,” she noted.
One of the beneficiaries Joseph Wafula said that installation of electricity in the area will enable locals venture into business generating income like welding, barber shop and even improve security in Webuye.
