The government has secured Kes 27 billion to connect 280,000 households to electricity under the Last Mile Connectivity Project.

Speaking during the signing ceremony of the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity contracts at the State House, President William Ruto said the funds will strengthen the government’s ambitious plan of achieving universal access to electricity by 2030.

The funds have been provided by the European Union, the French Development Agency, and the European Investment Bank.

The President said the power lines erected under this programme will also transmit fiber optic cables, ensuring universal Internet access.

“We are moving our business to e-commerce; we are moving our learning to e-learning; we are moving health to e-health. Therefore the Internet is as important as electricity,” he said.

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He said the government is working on a similar electricity connectivity program worth Kes 22 billion with the Africa Development Bank and Saudi Arabia to connect more than 270,000 customers.

The President commended the program, saying it has expanded the electricity grid to underserved areas and bridged the development gap between urban and rural communities.

He said that the government has increased electricity access over the past decade from 27% in 2013 to over 76% today.

“This means that 9.6 million Kenyan households are connected to electric power,” he said.

The President said electricity is a key driver of the Bottom-up economic Transformation Agenda, designed to achieve economic inclusivity.

President Ruto said the Last Mile Connectivity Project has enabled businesses in rural areas to flourish, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP and creating numerous job opportunities.

“The Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, which are the engine of our economy, benefit immensely from reliable power, enabling them to operate efficiently and expanding their reach,” he said.

He said the program has also revolutionized the country’s agricultural sector, powering irrigation and agro-processing units, boosting productivity and ensuring food security.

He also said it has enhanced educational opportunities and improved healthcare services.

He observed that reliable power will drive digital initiatives such as the Hustler Fund, ensure small businesses thrive, and drive economic growth.