Energy
Principal Secretary Alex Wachira has called for the entrenchment of the NG-CDF
into the Constitution, saying that it has been instrumental in catalyzing the
implementation of last-mile electrification projects.
Speaking at
Matathia village, Thika Town Constituency, on Friday, Wachira said the
partnership between REREC and various CDFs across the country has brought
massive development.
"As a
voter, I would urge the country and the lawmakers not to scrap NG-CDF. The fund
has had a remarkable impact on last-mile electrification, school programmes,
and even improving road infrastructure in many areas,” said PS Wachira.
He spoke
when he commissioned a project implemented by the Rural Electrification and
Renewable Energy Corporation.
Wachira said
REREC has been working with Members of Parliament and governors to electrify
their respective areas through the matching fund.
Under this
model, the MPs and governors contribute up to Sh5 million per constituency, and
REREC contributes a similar amount to implement electrification projects.
After making
the contribution, a Member of Parliament is given the liberty to choose the
project that REREC will implement using the fund.
His
sentiments were supported by Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a, who said that after
public participation, her constituents had supported the enacting of the NG-CDF
in the Constitution.
According to
records by REREC, the Matching Fund Programme has been a great success and has
enabled the Corporation to raise about Sh3.46 billion to implement 1,284
projects.
So far, a total of 17 counties and 75 constituencies have participated in the Matching Fund Programme.
The PS was
accompanied by Thika Town MP Alice Ng'ang'a and REREC CEO Dr. Rose Mkalama,
where 200 beneficiaries of the Matathia project were connected to electricity.
Those who
benefitted included Catherine Wairimu, who has lived in the area for many
years.
She thanked
the government for walking the talk in lighting up the village, saying that it
would finally shrug off its title of Dark City, which it had acquired due to
lack of power.
She said
that the newfound resource would be instrumental in boosting sales in her shop,
saying that she would now be able to work for longer hours and ultimately make
more money.
REREC CEO
Dr. Rose Mkalama said that her Corporation would connect 1,750 households to
electricity this financial year, and called on Kenyans to protect electricity
infrastructure against vandalism.
PS Wachira
said that the government had set aside about Sh10 billion to implement
electrification projects in the Mount Kenya Region, and about Sh490 million
would go to Kiambu County.
