The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) has launched a Ksh 90 million power project in Bungoma County, set to connect over 5,400 households to electricity upon its completion. During the groundbreaking ceremony in Bumula, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi announced that this is the 17th REREC project in Kenya and will provide electricity to all of Bungoma County and its neighbouring areas.
“This is the 17th project by REREC in Kenya; even my own Siaya County doesn’t have such a large-scale project,” Wandayi noted. The Ksh 90 million initiative is a collaboration between the national and county governments, with Bungoma County contributing Ksh 45 million for transformer purchases. Additionally, Bungoma has been allocated Ksh 600 million for power connections by REREC, with Bumula Constituency receiving the largest share of Ksh 260 million.
Wandayi also mentioned that Bungoma has secured an additional Ksh 2.7 billion for electricity connections through other agencies, including Kenya Power. “Bungoma will witness significant growth once all these projects are completed,” he said.
Wandayi praised the President for creating an inclusive government and called on all leaders to support its efforts for the country’s prosperity. REREC’s CEO, Dr. Rose Mkalama, added that contractors would be on-site within two weeks to complete previous projects before starting new ones. “Contractors will finalize ongoing projects within two weeks to pave the way for the new initiatives,” she said.
Dr Mkalama urged the community to use the electricity responsibly for economic and social development. She also clarified that REREC offers free power connections and encouraged residents to report any fraudsters pretending to be REREC engineers and demanding payments.
“We have received several complaints about individuals posing as our engineers and asking for money. REREC’s power connections are free, and any attempts to solicit payments should be reported,” she emphasized.
The event was also attended by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, Woman Representative Catherine Wambilianga, and Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, among others.
