A sweeping government effort to connect rural households to electricity is taking shape across the Mt. Kenya region, as President William Ruto’s administration rolls out a Sh10.3 billion expansion of the Last Mile Connectivity Project.
The plan, part of a larger Sh42 billion national program, aims to bring affordable power to thousands of homes and small businesses that have long operated without a reliable energy source.
Speaking to locals in Matathia village, Thika East, on Friday, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said the initiative was more than just wires and transformers.
“Electricity is not just about light it’s about powering opportunities,” Wachira told a gathered crowd. “This will unlock business potential, enhance security, and spark development.”
Powering Progress
The Mt. Kenya allocation is one of the largest single injections into rural electrification in the region’s history. In Kiambu County alone, Sh490 million has been earmarked to bring power to previously unconnected households. Across several villages in Thika Town Constituency ,Mukunike, Kona Mbaya, Maguguni, and Kwa Mhindi work is already underway.
In total, 562 households are set to benefit in this phase. In Matathia, 71 homes have already been connected.
Among them is 89-year-old Hannah Njambi Ndung’u, who had never imagined having electric light in her home. “I’ve lived my whole life in the dark. Now I can see clearly,” she said with a smile.
Relief for Small Traders
Local leaders say the programme couldn’t have come sooner. Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a hailed the rollout as a turning point for her constituency.
“This is a game-changer,” Ng’ang’a said. “Over 1,750 families in my area will benefit directly. It’s especially important for our youth and small traders who depend on electricity for their livelihoods.”
Excited residents echoed her sentiments. Many said power access would allow them to launch small businesses, store perishable goods, or simply study more easily at night.
Lower Bills, Higher Hopes
Alongside the new connections, Kenyans can also expect some relief in their power bills. Wachira announced that tariffs would drop by about 20 cents per kilowatt-hour this month, thanks to a rise in hydropower generation following recent rains.
“We’re working on long-term solutions to lower electricity costs,” he said. These include importing power from neighbouring countries, investing in geothermal energy, and developing smaller hydropower plants to stabilise supply.
Keeping the Lights On
But with expansion comes new risks. The CEO of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), Dr Rose Mkalama, urged residents to protect new infrastructure—particularly transformers, which have often been targeted by vandals.
“Let’s treat this as our own,” she said. “It’s a shared responsibility.”
She also warned against scammers pretending to be government officials and charging fees for connections. “Electricity connections under this program are free,” Mkalama stressed. “Don’t pay anyone claiming otherwise.”
The officials later flagged off the materials for upcoming installations ,steel poles, cables, and metres marking the next step in a rollout that stretches far beyond just one region.
A National Vision
The Last Mile project is part of Kenya’s broader push to reduce energy poverty and support rural development. Though critics have at times questioned the speed and transparency of implementation, the government insists that the investment is reaching those who need it most.
“This is about equity,” said Wachira. “We are lighting up every corner of this country no one will be left behind.”
As dusk fell over Matathia, the newly installed streetlights flickered on small beacons of a promise kept, and perhaps a glimpse of what lies ahead.
