Special electricity connection programme to benefit Nakuru residents

Wednesday, 28th January, 2015

Kenya Power will connect 106,811 new customers in the Central Rift Region this financial year that ends in June 2015, the company Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Ben Chumo has said.

The connection drive will go a long way to assist the company achieve its connectivity target of one million additional customers to the national grid this financial year representing 36% growth in its customer base.


The Company will build on last year’s success to accelerate the rate of connections which saw it record 443,000 new customer connections up from 307,000 recorded the previous year.
Dr. Chumo said this while he visited Bondeni area in Nakuru to oversee the connection of the residents of the area in a special electricity connection programme targeting residents of informal settlements.


This exercise is part of the undertaking that Kenya Power is implementing throughout the country to maintain high rate of connectivity in the coming years as part of demand creation for the 5,000 MW additional capacity envisioned by the government and help attain 70% electricity penetration by the year 2020 (up from the current 32%).


Dr. Chumo said the project in Nakuru and the surrounding areas will be implemented at an approximate cost of Shs.13 million with the aim of enhancing the lives of the residents by providing safe, legal and affordable power connection to people living in informal settlements.


“The slum electrification programme is supported by World Bank, (Global Partnership of Output-Based Aid- GPOBA) and is tailored to subsidise the cost of electricity connection to residents in informal settlements and other low-income regions.” he said.


The World Bank funded programme allows qualifying residents to pay a minimal charge of Shs.1,116 per connection, Dr Chumo said. The World Bank through GPOBA contributes US$ 225(Shs.19,350), while Kenya Power contributes Shs.11,970 per connection making up the standard capital contribution of Shs.32,480 per connection.


“Kenya Power has opted to pre-invest, in the programme by constructing connection lines, installing transformers and other infrastructural setup to enable connection to customers’ houses.” He added.


The programme will be implemented in settlement areas nearby including Bondeni, Ronda and Kaptembwa in Nakuru; Kasarani in Elburgon; Wiumiririe in Nyahururu; Vumilia in Maai Mahiu; Bondeni in Mau Narok and Kasarani in Naivasha.


Ends…..
For more information, contact:
Kenya Power Corporate Communications Dept.
Tel. 3201628/39/47
E-mail communications@kenyapower.co.ke