22,000 schools to get electricity next year ahead of laptop project

Rural Electrification Authority Chairman Mr Simon Gichau distributes books to the pupils of Dindiri Prrimary School in Kilifi County Mombasa moment after commissioning an electrification project at the school on June 27, 2014. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • So far, 18,040 schools countrywide have been supplied with power
  • He said in Kiambu, 428 primary schools out of 481 have been supplied with electricity.

The Rural Electrification Authority will supply electricity to all the 22,000 primary schools in the country by end of 2015 for the laptop project to be rolled out.

REA Chairman Simon Gicharu said so far, 18,040 schools countrywide have been supplied with power and the exercise is expected to complete before end of the next financial year.

“We have been given a big task by the Jubilee government which wants to see all primary schools get electricity before the laptop project is in place. So far we are doing very well and I can confirm that we have achieved 82 per cent of the project,” he said.

Mr Gicharu made the remarks during the commissioning of an electrification project at Kiawairia primary and secondary schools in Githunguri, Kiambu County. He was accompanied by Director of Operations in the Deputy President’s office Kimutai Keitany.

“The success of the laptop program greatly depends on the rural electrification project and we shall ensure the task ahead of us is accomplished in all corners of the republic including places like Kapedo,” Mr Gicharu said.

He said in Kiambu, 428 primary schools out of 481 have been supplied with electricity.