Energy Committee alarmed over Homa Bay’s low electricity connectivity

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The Senate Standing Committee on Energy has raised concerns over the low level of electricity connectivity in Homa Bay County, particularly in Ndhiwa Constituency, saying inadequate access to power is holding back businesses, schools and economic development.

The committee, headed by Senator William Kisang (Elgeyo Marakwet), conducted an inspection of Last-Mile Connectivity projects in the county as part of efforts to assess the progress of electricity projects and identify areas requiring urgent intervention.

The delegation included Senator Dr. Oburu Oginga of Siaya, Senator (Nominated) Dr. Beatrice Ogola, the committee’s vice chairperson, and Senator James Lomenen of Turkana.

Kisang said the committee was surprised by the low connectivity levels in Ndhiwa despite the area’s economic potential. “It’s unfortunate that what we have seen today is that the level of connectivity in this particular county is very low,” Kisang said.

According to the senator, Homa Bay County is expected to attain about 55 per cent electricity connectivity by March next year, but Ndhiwa’s coverage remains significantly below that level, at approximately 35 per cent.

Kisang said the inspection formed part of the committee’s broader mandate to monitor the implementation of energy projects and assess whether government investments were delivering the intended benefits to communities.

“We will go back and engage as a committee. We will also engage Kenya Power to see how they can allocate resources to do affirmative action for this particular sub-county,” Kisang said. He said the low connectivity was particularly worrying because Ndhiwa is a productive agricultural area with significant sugar-cane farming and other economic activities.

The committee said reliable electricity was critical to unlocking the area’s economic potential, attracting investment and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

Senator Lomenen described the situation as alarming, saying residents and businesses in parts of Ndhiwa had been left without reliable electricity despite power infrastructure having been installed in some areas.

“What we have witnessed today is really shocking. This region has been totally forgotten in terms of electricity connectivity,” Lomenen said.

He said businesses such as welding workshops, which depend heavily on electricity, were unable to operate, while several schools visited by the committee were also without power.

“How can one expect such schools to perform and outshine schools in other areas like Nairobi which have connectivity?” Lomenen asked.

The Senator also raised concern over computers supplied to schools that cannot be used because of lack of electricity. “The computers which were brought in these schools are lying idle and have been kept in the stores,” he said.

Lomenen criticized situations where electricity poles and cables had been installed but households remained unconnected. “Power cables are installed here but without power. These people of Ndhiwa have been denied their rights to power, yet every Kenyan is entitled to,” he said.

He expressed optimism that the government would address the situation, saying: “We have hope that the President will ensure Ndhiwa is lit and next time when we visit, everyone here will be connected.”

The Senate committee said it would continue engaging Kenya Power and other relevant agencies to push for increased resource allocation and targeted intervention in underserved areas.

They vowed to push for the completion of stalled electricity projects and faster implementation of Last-Mile Connectivity programmes to ensure that communities hosting electricity infrastructure also benefit from actual household and institutional connections.

Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) Regional Manager Zach Magomere said the Corporation was aware of the connectivity challenges and was implementing projects aimed at expanding access.

Magomere said they were working on a project which would connect at least 52 homesteads and is expected to be complete by the end of September. “We want to assure citizens that by the end of September, we shall have completed this project because we have a contractor on the ground who has begun the works,” Magomere said.

He acknowledged that electricity connectivity in Ndhiwa remains low, standing at approximately 35 per cent.

The committee’s inspection began in neighbouring Siaya County, where members visited a nuclear power project expected to commence commissioning in March next year.

By Sitna Omar

Reporting originally appeared via Kenya News Agency. Read the full source for additional context.