Govt to connect Lamu households to electricity in Sh80m project
Deputy President William Ruto officially opens the Sh230 million KPA jetty on Lamu Island on August 22, 2016. He said the government had set aside Sh80 million to connect Lamu residents to electricity. PHOTOS | KALUME KAZUNGU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The DP said the government’s target is to ensure the cost of using power comes down and is affordable to the majority.
- During his tour of Lamu Town on Monday, Mr Ruto officially opened the new Lamu jetty which cost Sh230 million.
- The jetty will reduce the congestion that has been experienced within the town.
- Lamu Governor Issa Timamy lauded DP Ruto for touring the region.
The national government has set aside Sh80 million to connect electricity to over 5,000 households in Lamu County.
Addressing the public at the Mkunguni Square in Lamu Town on Monday, Deputy President William Ruto said the Jubilee administration intends to ensure all citizens have equal access to electricity.
He also said the government’s target is to ensure the cost of using power comes down and is affordable to the majority.
“Our major objective is to ensure even mama mboga gets electricity.
“That’s why the Jubilee government has already allocated Sh80 million for the purpose.
“We want to ensure by the end of this year, at least 5000 households here in Lamu are [connected to] electricity from the national grid,” said Mr Ruto.
He said Lamu County has for decades been relying on Kenya Power generators, but thanks to the efforts of the Jubilee administration, the county was now connected to the national grid.
COST OF POWER DOWN
“Our effort is to ensure the cost of using power comes down to a level that each mwananchi can manage.
“Previously, one was required to have Sh70,000 to get electricity.
“Through our efforts, it was dropped to Sh35,000 and currently to Sh15,000.
“We are, however, planning to [connect] electricity to all citizens free of charge and only have them pay the power bills,” said Mr Ruto.
During his tour of Lamu Town on Monday, Mr Ruto officially opened the new Lamu Jetty which cost Sh230 million.
The jetty will reduce the congestion that has been experienced within the town, especially when boat operators ferry passengers and cargo into Lamu Island from the mainland.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy lauded DP Ruto for touring the region.
Mr Timamy said the visit will act as a game changer to the region since they expect the building of the Lamu-Garsen highway to kick off soon.
“We are aware that the government has already issued a tender for the construction of the Lamu-Garsen road and we are optimistic that the DP’s tour will [help] speed up of the construction work,” said Mr Timamy.
The Deputy President was accompanied by Tana River Governor Hussein Dado, MPs Khatib Mwashetani, Kwale Woman Representative Zainab Chidzuga, former Garsen MP Danson Mungatana and Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti.
