Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum James Wandayi has once again demonstrated visionary leadership through a successful working tour of Rarieda Constituency in Siaya County, where he officially commissioned five prioritized Last Mile Connectivity Projects (LMCP). Accompanied by area MP Hon. Otiende Amollo and Bondo MP Hon. Gideon Ochanda, Wandayi switched on transformative electricity projects at Oseure and Ranalo in North Uyoma Ward, Wikwang’y in South Uyoma Ward, and Lwak Homcraft and Marang’inya in West Asembo Ward. These initiatives aim to bring grid electricity to communities that have remained underserved for decades.
This hands-on engagement went beyond ceremony. It reflected a deliberate ministerial push to bridge Kenya’s persistent energy divide, which has long constrained rural development. In a country where more than 40% of citizens still face unreliable or nonexistent electricity, the tour underscored the Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment to equitable growth—translating policy promises into tangible connections that illuminate homes, schools, and enterprises. As part of the broader Last Mile Connectivity Programme, these projects target the furthest reaches of the national grid to ensure no Kenyan is left behind.
The impact of these commissions is already reshaping daily life. In Oseure and Ranalo, families previously dependent on kerosene and firewood now enjoy clean, reliable power, cutting household energy costs by up to 70%. Savings can be redirected to education, nutrition, and small businesses. In Wikwang’y, South Uyoma Ward, access to electricity empowers agro-processors to operate milling machines for longer hours, creating jobs and stimulating the local economy. Wandayi’s presence alongside MPs Amollo and Ochanda symbolized rare alignment between national and local leadership, placing community needs above political divisions.
In West Asembo Ward, the benefits extend to skills development and agriculture. Lwak Homcraft, a vocational training hub, now has stable power to run workshops for welding, tailoring, and electronics—opening pathways for youth employment. In Marang’inya, farmers can use electric pumps for irrigation, mitigating drought risks and increasing crop yields by an estimated 30–50%, as seen in similar LMCP-supported areas. By personally commissioning these projects, Wandayi reinforced ministerial accountability and marked a shift from past delays that left regions like Nyanza trailing in industrial and digital advancement.
The tour culminated at Rarieda Technical and Vocational Training College in Mahaya Village, where Wandayi engaged residents in an open dialogue on ongoing and planned energy projects. He outlined the ministry’s broader roadmap—from geothermal expansion to solar mini-grids—while addressing concerns on billing, maintenance, and grid extensions. Importantly, he pledged subsidized connections for the poorest households through the Last Mile Connectivity Fund, helping rebuild trust in government through transparency and responsiveness.
While critics may dismiss such tours as symbolic, progress indicators suggest otherwise. Kenya’s electrification rate has risen from 52% in 2017 to over 75% today, with LMCP adding more than 500,000 new connections annually. Rarieda’s five projects alone are estimated to serve over 5,000 households. Challenges remain, including vandalism and grid overloads, but integrating renewable and hybrid systems offers a path to sustainability. Politically and socially, the tour strengthens national cohesion by delivering tangible benefits that cut across regional and partisan lines.
Ultimately, Wandayi’s Rarieda visit stands as a beacon for #PoweringTheNewKenya. By commissioning last-mile projects and engaging communities directly, he has not only switched on electricity but also ignited hope—accelerating livelihoods, empowering women and youth, and narrowing the rural-urban divide. As Kenya advances toward Vision 2030, such grounded, accountable leadership will determine whether the nation truly electrifies its shared future.
James’ Kilonzo Bwire is a Media and Communication Practitioner.
