Thousands of households in Trans Nzoia County are expected to benefit from expanded electricity access under two last-mile connectivity projects highlighted during President William Ruto’s development tour of the North Rift.
The Government has flagged off a KSh171 million electricity connectivity project in Cherangany Constituency targeting 2,147 homes. It has also kick-started a separate KSh922 million project expected to connect 8,792 homes across Trans Nzoia County.
Combined, the two projects target 10,939 households, according to the figures provided in the Government’s project announcements.
The initiatives are intended to expand access to electricity for homes and, potentially, businesses that depend on reliable power for daily operations. Their delivery will depend on the installation of the required infrastructure and the connection of the targeted households.
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Last-mile connectivity programmes extend electricity distribution infrastructure to households that are not yet connected to the grid. Access to power can improve lighting, support the use of household appliances and create opportunities for small businesses to use electrical equipment.
For businesses, electricity can support activities such as refrigeration, welding, food processing and other services, although the benefits depend on affordability, supply reliability and the ability of customers to invest in equipment.
In rural areas, expanded connectivity may also support enterprises linked to agriculture, including the handling and processing of produce. However, the extent of economic gains cannot be established from connection targets alone.
The Cherangany project was flagged off as President Ruto engaged residents in Trans Nzoia. The KSh171 million allocation is intended to connect 2,147 homes in the constituency.
The wider KSh922 million project has a county-level target of 8,792 homes. The supplied announcements did not specify the individual locations to be covered by the countywide project, its implementation schedule or when the targeted households are expected to receive connections.
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The projects were announced alongside road infrastructure investments. In Cherangany, the President launched the 27.5-kilometre Mwaita–Bwage–Makutano–Kapsara–Minex–Aruba–Kesogon road, valued at KSh1.7 billion.
In Kiminini, he launched the first phase of the Kiminini–Mitoto–Ndalu–Brigadier road, with KSh500 million allocated to the initial phase and a further KSh1 billion pledged for completion. The Government also says it is investing KSh7 billion in the expansion of the Maili Tisa–Kitale Road.
Across Trans Nzoia, the Government says it is investing KSh18 billion to construct 270 kilometres of roads.
The President’s tour also covered market infrastructure and education, including an inspection of Kiminini Modern Market and the commissioning of a 27-classroom tuition block at Kiminini Comprehensive School.
For households targeted by the electricity projects, the key indicators of delivery will be the number of connections completed, the time taken to reach intended beneficiaries and the affordability and reliability of the resulting supply.
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