Kenya lights up a village a day – timeline

The East African nation is aiming for 100% electrification rate by 2030, with the rollout of energy projects across its rural areas key to achieving this

In a sweeping drive to bridge the national energy divide, Kenya has commissioned at least 29 rural electrification projects across the country since 3 July, in what officials have described as one of the most ambitious nationwide connectivity efforts in recent years.

And from the remote villages of Kwale County on the Indian Ocean coast to highland regions such as Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Kisii and Embu, new electricity connections, on average, have been launched almost daily.

This national drive is aimed at benefitting underserved communities long excluded from the national grid.

Targeting 2030

Speaking during the commissioning of electrification projects in Fuzo and Majikuko villages in Kwale County on 1 August, Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi reaffirmed the government’s pledge to deliver universal electricity access through the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP) by 2030.

“This is part of the National Government’s strategic agenda to provide reliable, affordable and efficient power supply for faster socio-economic growth, especially at the grassroots level,” said Wandayi, as reported by the Kenyan News Agency.

The rollout is being led by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), which is implementing a mix of grid extensions and off-grid renewable energy solutions – including mini-grids – to serve isolated communities.

Projects snapshot

The newly launched projects span more than a dozen counties, with highlights including:

3 July: Projects launched in Kamuriai and Butula, Busia County, along with groundbreaking of a major substation in Malaba

10-11 July: Electrification of villages across Turbo, Soi and Moiben Constituencies in Uasin Gishu County

17-18 July: Multiple launches in Kajiado and Kitui Counties

24-28 July: Expanded electrification in Kisii and Embu Counties, with new grid connections in markets, schools and healthcare facilities

1 August: Commissioning of power in two remote villages in Kwale, benefitting more than 426 households and small businesses

7 August: Launch of rural electrification projects in Lukenya and Mavoko Constituency, Machakos County 

Securing finance key to scaling up LMCP

And while the flagship LMCP project was initiated in 2015, momentum has increased in the past few years to increase the rollout as the government looks to fulfil its 100% electrification rate by 2030 commitment.

Financing has been key in this concerted effort to speed up the LMCP. Last May, President William Ruto confirmed that KSh27 billion (around $205.3m) funding had been secured for the fourth stage of the LMCP that aims to connect more than 280,000 households to electricity connections. 

The funds for the fourth stage were provided by the European Union, French Development Agency and European Investment Bank.

Meanwhile, Msambweni MP Feisal Bader recently announced a KSh20 million (around $154,000) allocation from the constituency development fund to expand electricity coverage in remote parts of the constituency.

Of the current electrification projects, Wandayi said: “This initiative marks a historic moment for many communities that, for the first time, now have access to electricity.”

Community buy-in key to energy rollout in rural Kenya

Engagement with residents has been a crucial part of this process.

“Following successful commissioning of the Kajiado County REREC projects by CS Energy Opiyo Wandayi on July 17th, public sensitisation activities were held in Oloontona village and Olturoto village, Kajiado East Constituencies to raise awareness on the corporation’s activities.

“Residents were educated about REREC’s mandate and the specific requirements for households to be connected. Emphasis was placed on the importance of safeguarding the project’s infrastructure to ensure long-term reliability, safety and wayleaves acquisition,” said REREC.

In Majikuko, 74-year-old resident Mzee Ali Mbega described having access to an electricity source as “life-changing.”

“For years we lived in darkness. Now, my grandchildren can read at night, and I can operate my kiosk during nightfall,” he told the Kenya News Agency.

Driving socio-economic change one connection at a time

The government’s agenda goes beyond lighting homes, said Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani, noting that the programme is also about enabling progress.

“Electricity is not just about power, but about education, healthcare, security and economic opportunity,” she said.

REREC CEO Rose Mkalama said the corporation will continue partnering with county governments to connect more villages and public institutions – especially schools, health centres and trading hubs.

Rural energy access in Kenya driven by the LMCP

The LMCP has been acknowledged by the government as a cornerstone of its pledge to achieve universal electrification. 

But while Kenya has made strides in increasing electricity access over the past decade, rural electrification has remained a challenge. 

As of 2024, nearly 25% of Kenyans still lacked electricity, with rural areas disproportionately affected, according to Ministry of Energy data.

To accelerate progress, the national government allocated KSh900m (around $6.9m) to electrification programmes in Kisumu County for the 2024/25 financial year, with Nyando Sub-County receiving KSh138m (around $1.06m) for grid expansion alone.

Wandayi confirmed earlier this year that more funds will be committed in the 2025/26 fiscal year to scale up the LMCP, which so far has seen, according to government data, a total of 746,867 households connected to the grid under the first three phases. The 280,000 households targeted under phase 4 is expected to be reached by November.

Cover photo:  Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum Opiyo Wandayi flips the electricity switch inside the home of a Kajiado West constituency resident. Source: REREC/X