Four villages in Teso South constituency, Busia county are in jubilation after they received electricity for the first time since independence.
Kacherere Trading Centre, Kalachamong, Kakoldong, and Kocheck Villages have all reasons to celebrate after they were connected to electricity through the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) which targets to connect over 14,000 to the national grid within the coming four months.
Speaking at Kalachamong village, REREC’s CEO, Dr. Rose Mkalama, said the Sh1.29 billion project covering Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu, Siaya, and Vihiga counties will be complete by 30th June.
“We target to connect over 14000 new customers to electricity before 30th June in support to the government manifesto of affordable clean energy by 2027,” said Mkalama.
“Clean energy is a fast growing sector that has made electric grids more resilient, expanded energy access and helped lower energy bills and play a big role as far as climate change is concerned,” she added.
According to Mkalama, the 56 electrification projects initiated in Busia in the 2022–23 financial year for Sh311 million will benefit 3,517 customers across the eight sub-counties in the county.
Teso south will see about 370 customers connected to a tune of Sh.64.7 million. “This project targets to bridge the energy gap in the rural setup by ensuring more households have affordable clean energy at their disposal,” the CEO noted.
REREC’s board director, Mr. Milton Lucheri, said they have embraced an innovative participatory approach to financing projects which entails collaboration between REREC with county governments and constituencies through the National Constituency Development Fund (NCDF) to ensure more households are connected.
By Absalom Namwalo
