The lights are coming on in more homes and businesses in Khwisero Constituency.
More than 250 households in Esitimba and Shiabalika villages are set to be connected to electricity under a government programme targeting thousands of homes across Kakamega County.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi flagged off electrification materials belonging to the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), saying the government is accelerating efforts to bring power closer to rural households.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi during the launch of the Eburuli and Eshitimba Village Electrification Project on August 17, 2026./HANDOUT
Wandayi also commissioned the Usukuti village electrification project, which has connected 279 households to electricity.
Electrification materials belonging to the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) during the launch of the Eburuli and Eshitimba Village Electrification Project on August 17, 2026./HANDOUT
For residents, the benefits are already becoming visible.
With electricity now available, some residents have started welding businesses, turning what was once darkness into an opportunity to earn a living.
The government says it is targeting 40,000 household connections across Kakamega County this financial year at a cost of Sh2.5 billion.
Khwisero is set to receive Sh350 million to connect about 6,000 households.
But the launch of the electricity projects quickly turned political.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi with resident) during the launch of the Eburuli and Eshitimba Village Electrification Project on August 17, 2026./HANDOUT
Wandayi and other leaders used the occasion to hit out at opposition politicians, accusing them of disrespecting President William Ruto.
The CS said political leaders seeking the presidency should respect the office, warning that disrespect could hurt their political ambitions.
“Any nation that needs to develop must respect the president,” Wandayi said.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi during the launch of the Eburuli and Eshitimba Village Electrification Project on August 17, 2026./HANDOUT
Khwisero MP Christopher Aseka was even more direct, telling opposition politicians to stop attacking the President and instead sell their policies to voters.
“If the President is connecting this area to electricity, don’t come and abuse him. Just come and sell your policies,” Aseka said.
The leaders also praised the administration for bringing development projects to Western Kenya.
Jared Okello said the region had every reason to support President Ruto, citing the distribution of government resources.
Residents, however, had their own message: electricity means opportunity.
From welding workshops to household lighting, the new connections are expected to give hundreds of families the power to work, study and do business long after sunset.
As more poles go up and more homes light up, the government is hoping the electrification drive will translate into both economic growth and political goodwill.
