Ruto Announces KSh1.08bn Electricity Investment in Taita-Taveta
The project forms part of government efforts to extend electricity infrastructure to households that remain outside the national power grid.
President William Ruto announces a KSh1.08 billion investment to expand electricity connectivity in Taita-Taveta County, targeting nearly 9,000 households during the current financial year. Photo: President William Ruto.
By Robert Mutasi
President William Ruto has announced a KSh1.08 billion investment to expand electricity connectivity in Taita-Taveta County, targeting nearly 9,000 households during the current financial year.
Ruto said the electricity expansion is intended to improve access to reliable power for households while supporting businesses and community activities across the county.
The President made the announcement while launching the Iperanyi-Mwandala Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project in Mwatate Constituency.
The project forms part of government efforts to extend electricity infrastructure to households that remain outside the national power grid.
Ruto said improved electricity access would create new opportunities for residents by supporting economic activities at household and community levels.
“We are investing KSh1.08 billion this financial year to connect nearly 9,000 households across Taita-Taveta County to reliable electricity,” Ruto said.
He said the investment would help create opportunities for homes, businesses and communities, with electricity expected to support activities such as small-scale enterprises, education and other services that depend on reliable power.
The Iperanyi-Mwandala project is among the Last Mile Connectivity initiatives being implemented to increase the number of households connected to electricity.
Last Mile projects seek to extend power lines and connections to areas where residents are located far from existing electricity infrastructure.
The expansion of electricity access is also expected to benefit local businesses by enabling traders and entrepreneurs to operate equipment, extend working hours and adopt technologies that require a stable power supply.
During his visit to Mwatate, Ruto also inspected the progress of the Mwatunge Modern Market.The market is being developed to provide traders with a more organised environment in which to conduct their businesses.
Ruto said the facility would provide traders with a conducive space to grow their enterprises and improve their livelihoods.Modern markets are part of wider government efforts to improve trading infrastructure and provide small-scale traders with better working environments.
The inspection of the Mwatunge market came alongside the launch of the electricity connectivity project as the President continued his development engagements in Taita-Taveta County.
The government has increasingly linked investment in electricity infrastructure with efforts to stimulate local economic activity, particularly in rural and underserved areas.For households, access to electricity can support lighting, refrigeration, communication and other domestic needs.
For businesses, reliable power can help reduce operational limitations and support the use of electrical equipment.
The KSh1.08 billion allocation will therefore target both household connectivity and broader economic activity as the government seeks to increase access to electricity across Taita-Taveta.
The nearly 9,000 targeted connections are expected to expand the number of households benefiting from the national electricity grid and provide residents in areas covered by the project with greater access to reliable power.
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