Kenya Power targets 150,000 connections in slum electrification project

Friday, 30th  January, 2015

Kenya Power, with the support of World Bank, will invest Shs.2.1 billion to connect approximately 150,000 customers in the ongoing slum electrification project being implemented in various parts of the country, the Company’s Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Ben Chumo has said.

The national power distributor has entered into an agreement with World Bank’s Global Partnership Output Based Aid (GPOBA) programme that will see the Company receive an initial Shs.1.2 billion grant that will be used as a subsidy for eligible electricity connections in informal settlements, Dr. Chumo said.


He was speaking during an electricity installation exercise at Nubian Settlement, an informal settlement located in Kisii town.


With 19,594 GPOBA connections to date, Dr. Chumo said the project was mooted with the aim of providing safe, legal and affordable power connection to people living in informal settlements and other low-income regions.


He said the Company will benefit from the displacement of illegal electricity vendors in informal settlements in terms of reduction of commercial losses which occur partly because of electricity theft adding. “Illegal connections have been the cause of electrocutions and slum fires, which have been on the increase in the recent past,” he added.


The programme allows qualifying residents to pay a minimal charge of Shs.1,16 0 per connection he 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.


He said area residents will be connected to prepaid meters and the connection fee of Shs.1,160 will then be recovered from the customer’s purchase of prepaid tokens for a period of 12 months. This translates to Shs.100 per month.


The programme is also being implemented in informal settlements and low income areas in West Region including Marachi in Busia County; Obunga, Nyalenda, Kaloleni and Bandani in Kisumu County; Amalemba in Kakamega County, Kiumba in Rusinga Island and six landing beaches in Mfangano Island.


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