Residents of Loo Rateng village-Angaga in Awendo Sub County have a reason to smile after being connected to the national electricity grid through the last mile connectivity programme under the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Cooperation (REREC).
The two-kilometre electrification project under the last-mile connectivity programme installed two transformers, with 130 households benefitting from the initiative, thus improving their livelihoods.
The Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi, while commissioning the project, said that the government had allocated Sh1.6 billion for the 2024/2025 financial year to the last-mile connectivity programme to bridge the country’s electricity gap.
Wandayi said the government will not discriminate against any part of the country in the Last Mile electrification programme but will give opportunity and equal rights to all Kenyans across the counties.
He also disclosed that the government is in the process of expanding the Gogo hydro plant in Uriri Sub County to boost its production from two megawatts to 8.6 megawatts to a tune of Sh 5 billion to boost significantly and enhance power reliability in Western Kenya.
CS Wandayi added that the Migori Isebania power project was complete with a power substation at Masaba in Kuria West Sub County already installed.
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko applauded the effort by CS Wandayi stating that the electrification process will improve the living standards of the rural people in Migori County.
He said that the Last Mile electrification programme was a transformative initiative that would expand electricity access, drive economic growth and improve the development of the Awendo Sub County.
Ochilo explained that his administration will continue working and collaborating with the national government to realise the government transformation agenda.
However, according to Awendo Member of Parliament Walter Owino, the last mile connectivity programme would not only improve the living standards of his constituents but also boost the socio-economic activity of Migori County.
As of 2025, Kenya has aimed to achieve last-mile connectivity by connecting approximately 10 million households to the national electricity grid signifying a significant push to reach the most remote areas with power access through initiatives like the last-mile connectivity project.
The last mile electrification programme is also meant to bridge the electricity gap to ensure that the most remote areas in the country are connected to the national grid.
George Odhiambo, one of the beneficiaries of the Loo Rateng last mile connectivity project explained that the power connectivity will enable him to save finances that he has been using to purchase other alternative power supplies.
Odhiambo who is also a farmer explains that the electricity connectivity will empower him and other beneficiaries to venture more into farming activity through the irrigation process to boost their developmental agendas.
He thanked REREC for bringing the connectivity project to his community to boost the socio-economic activity of the Awendo sub-county residents.
By Beryl Akinyi and Makokha Khaoya
