Eldoret: The County Government of Uasin Gishu and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) have launched an initiative, Stima Mashinani, to boost rural electrification to promote development at the grassroots level by facilitating a convenient environment to run a 24-hour economy as businesses will have electricity to conduct activities around the clock.
According to Kenya News Agency, Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii, speaking during the launch at the county headquarters, lauded the initiative as a transformative project aimed at improving electricity access across rural villages in the county. He emphasized that electricity provision is a key pillar of his Nguzo Kumi development blueprint, which prioritizes socio-economic empowerment for residents. The Governor noted that the initiative will drive economic growth in rural areas by promoting entrepreneurship, enabling access to digital jobs, and enhancing product development.
The Stima Mashinani initiative is integrated with the Angaza Mashinani program, focusing on lighting rural and urban centers to enhance security and promote a 24-hour economy. Dr. Bii mentioned that his administration partnered with REREC through the Matching Fund Programme to connect underserved areas to electricity. The first phase of the Stima Mashinani project will see more than 600 households connected across the county, with contractors beginning work on sites in Lelmokwo (Kesses), Siliboi (Ainabkoi), Mobet (Soy), Kapchemaget (Turbo), Kabiyet (Moiben), and Koshin Kaptien (Kapseret).
Governor Bii reiterated his administration’s vision to increase electricity connectivity in Uasin Gishu County from the current 65% to 95% by 2030. He also announced plans to advocate for an increase in the matching fund ceiling from Ksh 5 million per sub-county to Ksh 20 million through the Council of Governors to accelerate rural electrification efforts. The Governor extended gratitude to REREC for their partnership and to Kenya Power (KPLC) for their role in metering households.
In his remarks, REREC North-Rift Regional Manager Eng. Jonah Kosgei, representing the Corporation’s CEO Dr. Rose Mkalama during the launch, indicated that they have collaborated with the county administration to ensure all communities within the county are lit. He explained that REREC has an expanded mandate of spearheading Kenya’s renewable energy drive, in addition to implementing rural electrification projects. Eng. Kosgei pointed out that their key mandate is to collaborate with counties and constituencies through the Matching Fund programme, where a county can set up funds towards the project and REREC will match the same amount.
Eng. Kosgei further indicated that there is a cap on the matching fund according to The Energy Act, 2019 regulations, which allows them to match a maximum of up to Sh 5 million per sub-county, translating to a total Sh 30 million for the six sub-counties of Uasin Gishu per financial year. In the first year, 2023/2024, they have matched around Sh 30 million, raising around Sh 60 million for the programme and mapping about 39 projects across the county.
Residents from the six villages identified for the first phase of the project commended the county administration and REREC for their collaboration in connecting them to the grid for the first time since independence. Led by David Kipsamo from Silboi village, Ainabkoi sub-county, and Robert Kapkiyai from Kabiyet village, Moiben sub-county, the beneficiaries pointed out that bringing light to the communities will help spur development, promote trading activities, agriculture, and enhance a 24-hour economy.