Ruto presides over signing of Ksh 27B connectivity project

The Government has secured Ksh 27 billion from the French Development Agency to connect 280,000 households with electricity under the last mile connectivity project.

Presiding over the signing of the contracts for the project, President William Ruto said the funds will strengthen the government’s ambitious plan of achieving universal access to electricity by 2030.

The signing of Ksh 27 billion contracts at State House, Nairobi, is intended to ensure 280,000 households in 32 counties access electricity under the last mile connectivity project.

The President said the power lines erected under this program will also transmit fibre optic cables ensuring universal internet access

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

The Head of State added that the Government is working on a similar electricity connectivity programme worth Ksh 22 billion with the Africa Development Bank and Saudi Arabia to connect more than 270,000 customers.

He noted that the government has increased electricity access from 27pc in 2013 to over 76pc of the population today.

European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger said the country is on track to achieving its electricity connectivity goals.

Energy Cabinet Secretary David Chirchir urged contractors involved in the project to ensure that Kenyans get value for their money