UASIN GISHU, Kenya — The Uasin Gishu County Administration has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) to enhance sustainable electricity access at the grassroots level. This partnership aims to extend electricity to more areas within the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, During a press briefing after the MoU signing ceremony at his office, Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Chelilim outlined that this initiative aligns with the county’s Nguzo Kumi agenda, specifically focusing on rural electrification. He noted that currently, 65 percent of households in the county are connected to the electricity grid, while the remaining 35 percent rely on traditional energy sources like biogas and wood fuel.
The agreement entails the procurement and installation of 200 transformers within 12 months, targeting over 90 percent electricity access in the county over the next five years. The governor highlighted that the programme’s first phase in 2024 will prioritize non-operational projects, including milk coolers, potato cold storage facilities, grain stores, and fish cold stores. Subsequent phases will focus on connecting unconnected rural homes, introducing off-grid solutions, clean cooking technologies, and sustainable water pumping methods.
Dr. Chelilim stated that the county has allocated Sh30 million towards this programme, which will be matched by REREC under a shilling-for-shilling policy. He affirmed his commitment to allocate more resources in the next county budget to connect every household to the national grid within two years.
The governor also mentioned that the county is assessing power distribution in each ward to effectively implement the rural electrification programme. Dr. Rose Mkalama, CEO of REREC, explained that their organization runs programs across all 290 constituencies in Kenya, focusing on rural electrification through off-grid solutions like solar and mini-grids.
Mkalama elaborated on the Rural Electrification programme, which partners with county governments and MPs through the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NGCDF) in a Matching Fund scheme. She highlighted that approximately Sh2.5 billion has been collected across the country from MPs and counties for this cause.
Dr. Mkalama stressed REREC’s non-profit, socially-driven nature and its commitment to rural community development. She cited significant impacts of rural electrification, such as improved healthcare access, educational standards, and agricultural productivity, which contribute to overall socio-economic development.
REREC Director Philip Cherige expressed the corporation’s board’s pleasure in collaborating with Uasin Gishu County to fulfill the Presidential mandate of providing electricity access to every Kenyan household. A project implementation committee, comprising County Assembly Members and representatives from REREC and the national government, will oversee the swift execution of the projects.