For years, darkness brought fear, crime, and economic stagnation to the rural villages of Siaya County. Today, a major government electrification drive is changing the landscape, bringing security, new business opportunities, and power directly to local households.
Through the Last Mile Connectivity Project and targeted rural electrification initiatives, the national government has set aside KSh2.2 billion for Siaya County in the current financial year. The budget allocation aims to connect roughly 25,000 households to the power grid, with further funding expected in upcoming budget cycles.
For residents on the ground, the impact of electricity is immediate and life-changing.
In Imbaya village, local resident Jairus Oyamo recalled how total darkness once made basic activities hazardous.
“School-children walking in the morning were being mugged, and cattle were being stolen as early as 8:00 PM,” Saimo said. “You couldn’t pursue thieves because the village was completely dark. But with these new streetlights, night feels just like day. Even at 2:00 AM, if someone is sick, you can safely take them to the hospital.”
The project has also significantly reduced the financial barrier to connection for rural families. Richard Owino Golwa, a resident of Luanda Komolo village in Alego Usonga, noted that main power line connections were previously far beyond the reach of average households.
”My neighbor was asked for KSh10,000 just for the drop line, and another neighbor further up was quoted KSh70,000 for a single pole,” Golwa explained. “Now, we received the main electricity connection for free we only paid to wire our own homes. We no longer struggle or travel just to charge our phones or lanterns.”
Beyond safety and household convenience, grid access is sparking local economic ambitions. Ruth Anyango Otieno, a resident from Gangu, expressed her relief and outlined plans to launch a local enterprise.
“I am truly thankful to the government,” Otieno said. “My plan now is to buy a posho mill to set up here so I can serve the community and help people access milling services nearby.”
For younger community members, the transition away from kerosene lamps (nyang’ile) marks a dramatic shift in daily quality of life. Evelyne Achieng’ shared her gratitude for the development, emphasizing the heightened sense of safety across neighboring compounds.
”We used to rely on small kerosene lamps and couldn’t walk around alone at night,” Evelyne said. “Now we have real security. Even if you step out at night to visit another home, everything is clear and safe. We never imagined we would get electricity right in our homes, and I hope the government extends this to other areas too.”
Addressing the technical scope of the rollout, Nicholas Gwadi, who assists in coordinating Last Mile initiatives in Siaya County, highlighted the rapid growth in coverage. Historically, rural electrification coverage in Siaya stood at less than 20 percent.
”Right now, we are climbing above average and have passed 50 percent a jump of nearly 30 to 40 percent in less than two years,” Gwadi reported. “The narrative has shifted from ‘We have never seen it’ to ‘We haven’t been reached yet.’ Works are actively ongoing across multiple fronts, including solar-powered streetlighting programs designed to cut energy bills for the county and curb transformer and wire vandalism.”
Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring no region is left behind.
”The National Assembly allocated a specific budget of KSh2.2 billion to Siaya County for rural electricity expansion,” CS Wandayi stated. “That money is sufficient to connect some 25,000 households this year alone. In the coming financial year, I am confident parliament will allocate additional funds to build on this momentum.”
With installation work moving forward across sub-counties like Ugunja, Alego Usonga, and Gem, local leaders and residents alike view the energy rollout as a vital foundation for Siaya’s long-term economic development and public safety.
