Belgut: The ongoing rural electrification projects in Belgut Constituency, Kericho County, under the national government's Last Mile Connectivity Programme, are now in their final stages of completion. This has brought renewed optimism and tangible progress to residents of four villages that were officially commissioned just a month ago, signaling a major step toward achieving universal access to reliable and affordable electricity in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, Belgut Member of Parliament, Nelson Koech confirmed that the electrification of Cheptigit, Borborwet Central, Cheronget, and Jericho villages is nearing completion, marking a significant milestone in the constituency's ongoing drive to expand energy access and improve the quality of life for residents. 'Once the current phase is completed, we will immediately begin electrification works in Tendwet, Chemumbe, and Kapkoros villages, further expanding Belgut Constituency's electricity coverage and bringing us closer to achieving universal energy access,' said Koech.
Mr. Koech noted that the projects form part of the Sh1.4 billion Borborwet and Cheptigit village electrification projects, launched under the Last Mile Connectivity Programme (LMCP), which aims to expand electricity access to underserved rural households across Kericho County. 'This is a milestone for Belgut. Electricity access that will power households, light up schools, and spur new business ventures for our youth and women,' Koech said.
The initiative is set to transform electricity access for 14,630 households across Kericho County, including 2,246 in Belgut Constituency, with the first phase already bringing power to 128 homes in Borborwet and 95 in Cheptigit villages. During the commissioning ceremony a month ago, Energy PS Alex Kamau Wachira reaffirmed the government's commitment to providing equitable access to electricity, emphasizing that energy is a critical driver of education, health, business, and overall rural development.
'Access to electricity is not a privilege but a right for all Kenyans. These connections open doors for learning, healthcare, and enterprise growth. We are deliberately targeting remote areas to ensure no Kenyan is left behind,' PS Wachira stated.
The Belgut electrification drive is part of the government's broader agenda to achieve universal access to electricity and promote inclusive socio-economic growth across all regions. The programme has connected 10,045,775 Kenyans to the national electricity grid, reflecting a significant growth of 1,185,481 new connections since 2022, and in the Financial Year 2024/2025 alone, an additional 401,848 people, including 163,091 last-mile customers, gained access to electricity, demonstrating the government's sustained commitment to expanding universal energy access and fostering inclusive socio-economic development across the country.