M a r k e t N e w s
More Kenyans in rural areas applying for cheap power connection
Posted on : Wednesday , 8th July 2015
NAIROBI: Kenyans living within 600m radius of electricity transformers are taking up the Government’s offer for cheap connection, Kenya Power has said.
Kenya Power Managing Director Ben Chumo said most of those who have applied to be connected are from rural areas.
Dr Chumo said he was encouraged by how Kenyans were taking advantage of the Sh15,000 connection fee which was reduced from Sh35,000 last month.
He said: “Everyone can now have electricity in their homes. It is upon you to take advantage of the current Government initiative and apply. This is almost free.”
He urged those who cannot raise the full amount required to visit the nearest Kenya Power offices so that respective branch managers can help them determine how much they can pay on a month.
The project, dubbed Last Mile Connectivity, is a Sh36 billion initiative geared towards increasing electricity access to Kenyans across the country.
At least 300,000 potential customers living near 5,320 transformers nationwide are being targeted in this phase.
Customers can also be connected even without paying any fee but this would be deducted in their pre-paid accounts that can be spread for a period of two years, he added.
Households that do not have internal wiring in their houses will be provided with a “ready board” by the Ministry of Energy that they would use to tap electricity. The ready board has switches, sockets and bulb holders to facilitate prompt connectivity.
Chumo said the proposed project will cover the entire country with selected transformers in 47 counties. It is expected to directly benefit low income groups, especially in counties with the lowest penetration rate.
The first phase of the project will commence in September.
This phase, according to Chumo is targeted at maximising the existing transformers to ensure no one within 600m of a transformers is without power.
It will cover both those able to pay and those who will pay in installments for a period of two years.
“This will help us cut costs. We will be able to bring electricity to our customers even at a time they don’t expect. It will be the first of its kind and I urge Kenyans to take advantage of it,” Chumo said.
The project is funded jointly by Japan International Cooperation Agency, World Bank, African Development Bank and Danish International Development Agency.
Source : IN 2 EAST AFRICA
