Kericho County is set to witness a major boost in electricity access following the launch of a Sh1.4 billion rural electrification project by the Ministry of Energy. The initiative, implemented under the Rapid Results Initiative (RRI), aims to connect over 14,000 households to the national grid by the end of 2025, reinforcing the government’s commitment to extending power to remote and underserved areas. The official launch of the Kericho County Electricity Master Plan took place at the county headquarters, with Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira overseeing the rollout.
Speaking during the event, Wachira noted that fieldwork had already begun in Ainamoi, Kipkelion East, Kipkelion West, and Soin/Sigowet constituencies. The program commenced in April, with preparatory work including wayleave acquisition, procurement of materials, and contractor mobilization. The project forms part of the national Last Mile Connectivity initiative and is aligned with Kenya’s broader strategy to achieve universal electricity access. The PS also revealed that 48 non-functional transformers in the county would be replaced under a complementary RRI program, improving reliability for existing electricity users.
Local communities have been urged to safeguard infrastructure from vandalism, which Wachira warned could derail development gains. The electrification program is expected to spur socio-economic growth by improving access to education, healthcare, and agricultural productivity, while also supporting small businesses. The Kericho County Electricity Master Plan will serve as a long-term blueprint for energy development in the region, underpinning the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and ensuring that electricity becomes an inclusive and transformative driver of local development.