Kandutura Village in Laikipia North is celebrating a new era of opportunity after the government officially launched the Kandutura Village Electrification Project, connecting the once off-grid community to the national electricity grid.
Implemented under the Last Mile Connectivity initiative by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), the project has brought reliable power to 278 households, including Kandutura Shopping Centre, at a cost of approximately Ksh 22.8 million.
The launch, presided over by Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, showcased the immediate impact of the initiative. One highlight was Super Marti Barbershop, a newly opened business now thriving thanks to access to electricity. Wachira hailed the project as a testament to the transformative power of rural electrification.
“This is the true face of economic empowerment,” he said. “We are creating jobs, supporting small and medium-sized businesses, and lighting the path to inclusive growth.”
Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere and Lamu County Woman Representative Hon. Monicah Muthoni lauded the government’s commitment to bridging the rural-urban development gap. They commended REREC for delivering the project on time and emphasized that electricity would spark a wave of entrepreneurial activity in the region.
According to the leaders, the Stima Mashinani program under which the project falls has the potential to transform livelihoods by enabling residents to start businesses such as salons, welding workshops, and small manufacturing enterprises, thereby boosting household incomes and community resilience.
“This project is a game changer for our people,” said Hon. Korere. “It is more than just lighting homes it’s about lighting up livelihoods.”
Local residents echoed the sentiment, expressing optimism about the new opportunities electricity would bring, from improved education through better lighting to enhanced access to information and technology.
The Kandutura electrification project is part of the government’s broader goal of achieving universal access to electricity, a critical driver of economic growth and social inclusion. For the people of Kandutura, it marks the beginning of a brighter, more connected future one where the hum of business replaces the silence of darkness.
