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County, REREC launch initiative to boost rural electrification

The County Government of Uasin Gishu and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) have launched an initiative, Stima Mashinani to boost rural electrification in order to promote development at the grassroot level by facilitating a convenient environment to run a 24-hour economy as businesses will have electricity to conduct activities around the clock.

Speaking during the launch at the county headquarters, Eldoret, Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii lauded the initiative which he said is a transformative project aimed at improving electricity access across rural villages in the county.

He emphasized that electricity provision is a key pillar of his Nguzo Kumi development blueprint, which prioritizes socio-economic empowerment for residents.

“This initiative will drive economic growth in rural areas by promoting entrepreneurship, enabling access to digital jobs, and enhancing product development,” noted the Governor.

The Stima Mashinani initiative is integrated with the Angaza Mashinani program, which focuses on lighting rural and urban centers to enhance security and promote a 24-hour economy.

“In line with this vision, my administration partnered with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) through the Matching Fund Programme to connect underserved areas to electricity,” alluded Dr. Bii.

The first phase of the Stima Mashinani project will see more than 600 households connected to electricity across the county.

Contractors flagged off during the launch on Wednesday will begin work on the following initial sites, with one project per sub-county: Lelmokwo (Kesses),Siliboi (Ainabkoi), Mobet (Soy) , Kapchemaget (Turbo), Kabiyet (Moiben) and Koshin Kaptien (Kapseret)

Governor Bii reiterated his administration’s vision to increase electricity connectivity in Uasin Gishu County from the current 65% to 95% by 2030.

He also announced plans to advocate for an increase in the matching fund ceiling from Ksh 5 million per sub-county to Ksh 20 million through the Council of Governors to accelerate rural electrification efforts.

The Governor extended his gratitude to REREC for their partnership and to Kenya Power (KPLC) for their role in metering households.

In his remarks REREC North-Rift Regional Manager, Eng. Jonah Kosgei who represented the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Rose Mkalama during the launch, indicated that they have collaborated with the county administration to ensure all the communities within the county are lit.

He explained that REREC has an expanded mandate of spearheading Kenya’s renewable energy drive, in addition to implementing rural electrification projects to ensure communities are electrified.

Eng. Kosgei pointed out that their key mandate is to collaborate with counties, constituencies through Matching Fund programme also known as a shilling for a shilling whereby a county can set up a certain amount of funds toward the project and REREC will match with the same amount.

He further indicated that there is a cap on the matching fund according to The Energy Act, 2019 regulations to provide for National and County government, which allows them to match with a maximum of up to Sh 5 million per sub county which translates to a total Sh 30 million for the 6 sub counties of Uasin Gishu per financial year.

“The first year 2023/2024, we have matched around 30 million and we have raised around Sh 60 million for the programme and we have been able to map about 39 projects across the county,” noted Eng. Kosgei.

Residents from the six villages from across the six sub counties in the county identified for the first phase of the project, commended the county administration and the REREC for their collaboration that will see them connected to the grid for the first time since independence.

Led by David Kipsamo from Silboi village, Ainabkoi sub county and Robert Kapkiyai from Kabiyet village, Moiben Sub county, the beneficiaries pointed out that, bringing light to the communities will help spur development in the underserved areas, promote trading activities, agriculture and enhancing a 24-hour economy.

 By Ekuwam Sylvester and Emmanuel Kiptoo

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