Nyandarua County Government has been asked to present a list of investors who require transformers and support in terms of pricing to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum for immediate action.
CAS in the Ministry of Energy Zachary Ayieko said the transformers will be installed within the shortest time possible to ensure sufficient and constant power to make the investors work smoothly.
Speaking during a consultative meeting with Governor, Francis Kimemia and his team who included Deputy Governor Cecilia Mbuthia and several County Executive Committee Members today to discuss the expansion of electricity connectivity in the county, Ayieko sufficient electricity supply was vital to industrialisation.
He said the government was committed to ensuring that connectivity across the country is increased because power was a factor of production.
“It is great that you are very committed to ensuring Nyandarua residents have power and it shows your commitment to improving lives,” he told Governor Kimemia.
The CAS also agreed to Kimemia’s request for the installation of 125 transformers in the region, a move that will see five wards get five transformers each.
“The county should identify the priority areas where the five transformers per ward will be installed, and the government through the Ministry will make plans to have them installed,” said Ayieko.
He promised to follow up on projects designed by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) and those of Kenya Power under the Last Mile Connectivity Program (LMCP) and not yet funded to completion and seek funding for the same.
After listening to a raft of pleas from Governor Kimemia on the county’s energy needs, the CAS gave REREC a one-month ultimatum to complete 13 pending projects in the area.
“Completion of the said projects is long overdue and also Kenya Power to ensure that another 15 complete projects have meters installed within the same period"
In response to the county team report that there were a number of defective transformers that required replacement, the CAS directed REREC and the County to identify the faulty transformers and give him the list within a week for immediate replacement.
In order to enhance the connectivity, Ayieko tasked REREC CEO Peter Mbugua, who was also present, with the responsibility of obtaining a database of the connectivity and the mapping done with the projected budget for realisation of the projected 70 per cent electrification and 100 per cent coverage countrywide.
The County in collaboration with the Ministry also agreed to explore other alternative Renewable Energy Sources and start off with a BioGas generation pilot at the Miragine Power Sub-Station
He committed to ensuring that he supports governor Kimemia achieve his Agenda while at the same time working towards The President’s Agenda of ensuring that all the Country Households are connected by 2022.
Kimemia said he was committed to deliver the third pillar of his manifesto on infrastructure development that seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable and quality energy for both domestic and industrial use.
“Energy is not one of the devolved functions but the County Government has to ensure that residents have electricity for their homes, small enterprises and markets,” he said.
