MATHIRA — The government will spend Sh4.3 billion this financial year to replace over 20,000 faulty transformers nationwide in an urgent bid to reduce widespread electricity blackouts.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira announced the plan on Monday during an inspection tour of the Last Mile Connectivity Program in Mathira, Nyeri County. He said the replacement project is central to stabilizing power delivery, especially in regions affected by recurring outages linked to failed transformers.
“We are committing Sh4.3 billion this year to replace faulty transformers across the country,” Wachira stated. “As we connect more homes to electricity, we cannot leave some in the dark due to technical issues that can be fixed.”
Wachira blamed many of the transformer breakdowns on illegal electricity connections, which he said cause dangerous overloads in the power grid. “The biggest issue is overloading caused by unauthorized tapping. I’m asking Kenyans to stop illegal connections. It’s sabotaging progress and harming service delivery,” he said.
The faulty equipment, according to Ministry records, has been a leading contributor to unplanned outages in both rural and urban areas. The transformer replacement effort is expected to restore reliable electricity in affected zones and improve Kenya Power’s distribution efficiency.
The initiative is part of the broader Last Mile Connectivity Program, which targets universal electricity access. Wachira said the project remains on track for completion by December, with more than 305,000 households already connected.
“The goal is to ensure that every Kenyan, regardless of where they live, has access to safe and consistent electricity,” he said.
Looking ahead, Wachira said the government is evaluating ways to cut energy costs for consumers. Among the long-term strategies under consideration is the development of nuclear energy to reduce reliance on more expensive power sources.
“We are exploring cost-effective alternatives, including nuclear power, to make electricity more affordable for every Kenyan household,” he added.
The Ministry of Energy has not yet released a specific timeline for the transformer replacements but indicated that procurement and deployment are already underway.
Electricity users in Kenya have raised concerns about inconsistent supply, with many rural areas experiencing frequent blackouts. Energy experts say upgrading grid infrastructure is necessary to match the growing demand from new household and industrial connections.
The Ministry plans to issue monthly progress reports as the replacement project rolls out.
