BY SHABAN OMAR
After decades of darkness, residents of Mkokoni village in Kwale County have finally seen the light literally following the official rollout of a rural electrification programme under the Last Mile Connectivity initiative.
The project was flagged off on Friday by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, alongside Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani.
It is being implemented by Kenya Power in collaboration with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
Speaking at the launch, CS Wandayi said that the electrification effort is part of the government’s agenda to spur economic development, enhance service delivery, and uplift marginalized communities.
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi addresses residents at Mkokoni village in Matuga sub-county, Kwale County on Friday, August 1, 2025.
“The President is committed to ensuring that no part of the country is left in the dark. Electricity access is essential for promoting equity in development,” he said.
Wandayi expressed concern over the low power penetration in Kwale, pointing out that the county’s connectivity rate remains below 30 percent.
He said the government is keen on reversing the trend and bridging the rural-urban development divide.
According to Wandayi, electricity is a critical enabler of growth and prosperity, and connecting rural homes to the grid will unlock opportunities in education, healthcare, trade, and enterprise.
“This isn’t just about lighting homes. It’s about transforming communities, creating jobs, and building a better future for all,” he said.
Wandayi also announced plans to install streetlights from Cess Point, the Kwale-Mombasa boundary up to Kombani in Matuga within Kwale County.
Power transformer at Mkokoni village in Kwale County
He said the initiative is aimed at improving security, extending business hours, and attracting investment to the region.
“Lighting up trading centres and entry points will not only deter crime but also foster economic vibrancy,” said the CS.
He encouraged collaboration between local leaders and national agencies to ensure timely completion and success of the power project.
He also called on residents to take full advantage of the electricity to uplift their living conditions.
Governor Achani welcomed the project, calling it a vital step in addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges in the region.
Achani said electricity is no longer a luxury but a necessity and the foundation upon which the county can build transformative change.
Governor Fatuma Achani speaks to Mkokoni residents in Matuga, Kwale County on Friday, August 1, 2025.
She added that reliable electricity would enable local entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, improve learning environments in schools, enhance health services, and unlock the region’s potential in the blue economy.
“With power, our coastal communities can now preserve fish, add value to marine produce, and scale up income-generating activities,” she noted.
Achani pledged her administration’s support for government-led development projects and urged for more synergy to reach underserved villages.
Matuga MP Kassim Tandaza also lauded the initiative, describing it as a long-overdue development that will change lives.
He, however, urged the Ministry of Energy and Kenya Power to revisit and complete stalled electrification schemes in the region.
“Projects in Kindiani, Mwaluphamba, and Mwananyahi have been incomplete since 2018. Poles were put up and transformers installed but no further progress was made. We must fulfill the promises made to these communities,” said Tandaza.
Matuga MP Kasim Tandaza speaks to locals at Mkokoni in Kwale County on Friday, August 1, 2025.
He called for effective oversight to prevent wastage of public funds and to ensure that every initiated project reaches completion.
Kenya Power’s Coast Region Manager Erick Lagat said the electrification will roll out in phases. The initial phase will connect 366 households 202 in Mkokoni (Matuga) and another 164 in Madongoni and Majikuko villages in Msambweni sub-county.
