Nairobi: Kenya Power is set to connect 150,000 customers to the national grid as part of the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP) Phase VI, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The initiative aims to connect households and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across 45 counties, excluding Nairobi and Mombasa.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Government of Kenya has secured financing from the AfDB to support the implementation of the sixth phase of the LMCP. Dr. Joseph Siror, Managing Director and CEO of Kenya Power, emphasized that the funding will significantly enhance national electrification efforts and expedite the goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030.

The African Development Bank has previously funded Phase I and III of the LMCP, successfully connecting 536,077 customers. In this latest phase, the project will also focus on system reinforcements and grid extensions. Dr. Siror detailed that the project involves constructing and refurbishing 13 substations, which include building three new 33/11 kV substations, upgrading three existing ones, and constructing seven new 33 kV switching stations.

The project will extend to the construction of 211 kilometers and 14 kilometers of kV and 11 kV distribution lines, respectively, enhancing infrastructure for education, healthcare, water, and sanitation services. Additionally, 650 kilometers of 33 kV lines and 6,798 kilometers of low-voltage networks will be constructed to facilitate last-mile connections.

Siror noted that Kenya Power has invited bids for project consultancy services, which will cover technical designs, environmental and social performance audits, procurement, and supervision of construction works. Since the LMCP’s inception in 2015, Kenya Power has connected 746,867 customers to the national grid.

Currently, Kenya Power is executing the fourth and fifth phases of the LMCP, aiming to connect an additional 280,000 and 11,000 new customers respectively. The LMCP has also received funding from various sources, including the Government of Kenya, the World Bank, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the European Investment Bank (EIB).