The government has officially launched the Kandutura Village Electrification Project in Laikipia North, marking a significant milestone in its quest for universal access to electricity.
The project, implemented under the Last Mile Connectivity initiative by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), has connected 278 households to the national grid.
Valued at approximately Ksh 22.8 million, the government-funded project has brought power to the once off-grid Kandutura Shopping Centre and its surrounding community, a step hailed as transformative for the local economy.
During the launch by energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, attention turned to Super Marti Barbershop, a newly established business now thriving thanks to reliable electricity.
Leaders present described it as a symbol of the life-changing impact rural electrification can have on households and small enterprises.
“This is the true face of economic empowerment,” said Wachira
“We are creating jobs, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and lighting the path to inclusive growth.” he added.
Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere and Lamu County Woman Representative Hon. Monicah Muthoni praised the government’s commitment to rural development and thanked REREC for the timely delivery of the project.
The leaders noted that the Stima Mashinani initiative would empower residents by enabling them to start small businesses such as salons, barber shops, welding workshops, and other enterprises, thereby boosting household incomes.
“This project is a game changer for our people,” said Hon. Korere. “It is more than just lighting homes, it’s about lighting up livelihoods.”
The event was presided over by Principal Secretary for Energy Alex Wachira, with the support of PS for Wildlife Silvia Museiya Kihoro, and was attended by community members and other stakeholders.
The project is part of the government’s broader Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which places energy access at the heart of rural development.
As Kenya moves closer to achieving universal electrification, initiatives like the Kandutura project continue to demonstrate the tangible benefits of public investment in infrastructure, turning once-forgotten villages into hubs of opportunity
