The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) has embarked on a Sh21 million electrification project of rural areas in Laikipia County.
REREC Chief Executive Officer Peter Mbugua while launching the project at Njoguini village in Laikipia East Sub County on Wednesday said that his corporation had so far installed transformers and power lines in several villages in the area.
“We have so far connected power to Yard A village at a cost of Sh 4.7 million, Yard B at Sh2.4 million, Upper Njoguini at Sh 2.1 million and Lower Njoguini at Sh1.7 million. We intend to continue until all villages get power,” Mbugua said.
The REREC CEO added that the government was keen on ensuring that all Kenyans get connected to electricity as a right and also as a way of spurring development.
“When rural areas get connected to electricity, businesses thrive thus uplifting the economic welfare of the rural folk. This is what the government wants to see happening across the country,” Mbugua said.
Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru who also graced the function challenged elected leaders in the area to lobby for development projects from the National Government to uplift the welfare of the rural electorate.
The Woman rep pointed an accusing finger at Laikipia East MP Amin Deddy saying that he had failed to lobby for allocation of projects in the constituency.
Waruguru called on the residents to rally behind the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and ensure it sails through during the forthcoming referendum noting that it was meant to bring the much needed development in rural areas.
She further said she has a right as a woman representative to lobby for development projects from the government for her electorate.
By Martin Munyi
