Post: Sh231 Million Rural Electrification Project To Benefit Households In Kakuzi-Mitubiri, Gatanga

Kakuzi-mitubiri: Residents of Kakuzi-Mitubiri ward in lower Gatanga constituency, Murang'a County, have a reason to smile as more than 2,500 households in one of the region's most marginalized and semi-arid areas, were officially connected to electricity.According to Kenya News Agency, the milestone came with the launch of the Matunda Electrification Project presided over by Energy Principal Secretary (PS) Alex Wachira, who assured residents that the government was committed to achieving universal access to electricity and uplifting communities that had long been left behind. Wachira emphasized the importance of not leaving any region behind in last-mile connectivity.In Gatanga alone, Sh231 million has been allocated for 38 electrification projects, with 18 projects being implemented by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC). The remaining projects will be executed by the Energy Fund Board Committee (EFBC) and Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), aiming to connect all targe ted households by December 2025. Additionally, a further Sh880 million has been allocated to connect more than 110,000 households to electricity in Murang'a County.Wachira highlighted that the project is not just about powering homes but also about poverty eradication, economic growth, and reducing carbon emissions. Electricity will enable residents to run businesses, power boreholes, and create employment opportunities. He also addressed previous challenges regarding the provision of meters, ensuring that every connected home will receive a meter without delay.Murang'a Woman Representative Betty Maina welcomed the project, noting its significance for women and families who had long faced disadvantages. She emphasized that electricity brings empowerment, allowing women to open small enterprises that improve their incomes. Betty appreciated the Kenya Kwanza administration for their support in electrifying marginalized homes.Maragua MP Mary Wamaua echoed these sentiments, stating that electricity is found ational for development. She noted that with power, various achievements are possible, from job creation to reducing pollution from diesel generators. The launch marked the beginning of significant transformation for Gatanga.For residents, the launch was more than a ribbon-cutting event; it fulfilled a long-awaited dream. Joseph Kimani, a local farmer, expressed how electricity would change his life and improve his family's agribusiness prospects. He plans to save money by using electricity for various agricultural processes, enhancing the area's economic outlook.Another beneficiary, Prisca Njeri, described the project as life-changing for families, particularly mothers and children. She highlighted the benefits of improved lighting for safety and education, noting that the connections reached more households than previous projects. Njeri and others look forward to using electricity for rearing chickens, growing crops, and opening businesses.As the cables were switched on in Kakuzi-Mitubiri, a sense of joy and optimism surged through the community. For a region once left behind, the electrification project marked not just access to power but a promise of a more fulfilling and brighter future.