Nandi County residents have been challenged to help stop vandalism of electricity power infrastructure by working with relevant authorities
Dr. Rose Mkalama CEO Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy during her visit in Nandi called on the residents to report anybody suspected being on a mission to vandalise public electric power connectivity infrastructure for action can be taken immediately.
“Help us to take care of our infrastructure because if somebody comes and steal this transformer here, it means close to a hundred families will stay without power that day,” Mkalama pleaded with residents of Kiborgok market, Emgwen Constituency while commissioning Kiborgok Electrification Project where she was the chief guest, to benefit close to a hundred households over the weekend.
The CEO said that if the public works closely with relevant authorities, cases of public electric power vandalism will be reduced significantly.
“We have the National Government Administrative Officers, we have the REREC offices, we have the KPLC; please report anybody who comes here and vandalise our equipment,” she insisted.
Mkalama also cautioned the public against individuals who insist on payment before they are connected.
“When we are doing our projects, there are some individuals who demand payment for connection fee. REREC connects everybody for free without money. You will be connected first then Sh15,000 will be paid slowly as you pay your bill until you finish,” Mkalama warned.
Further, Mkalama asked locals to seek wiring services for their houses and premises from qualified Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority licensed.
“Let us support our youths who have done wiring and approved by EPRA to provide wiring services in our homes. Don’t bring somebody from far and yet we have our trained youths,” Mkalama advised.
She however thanked Nandi residents for granting free wayleaves for power electricity transmission. She confessed that REREC is not having issues in entire Nandi projects and thanked the local leaders for preparing the locals to embrace development.
The CEO called on the residents of Kiborgok and the entire Nandi to utilise electricity by embracing businesses that are power dependent to solve unemployment challenges.
Josses Lelmengit, the area Member of Parliament present during the power project commissioning, challenged the youths to engage in constructive activities and learn leadership skills appropriately with the aim of bringing acceptable changes within our communities.
By Geoffrey Satia
