By Bellah Ikida and Anne Ayieko
Photos by Calvin Randy Ogonji
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has called on government officials at both the national and county levels to safeguard rural electrification efforts, saying access to power remains a key driver of development in underserved areas.
He was speaking during the launch of the Kaganda Village Electrification Project in Nyando, where he accompanied the Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Hon. Opiyo Wandayi and a host of national and county leaders
The Electrification Project is being implemented by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), under the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and will connect 143 homesteads in Nyando to the national grid.
Governor Nyong’o commended Energy Cabinet Secretary Hon. Opiyo Wandayi for prioritizing the project and bringing electricity closer to rural residents.
“Access to power connection is what makes a real difference in rural development,” the Governor said.
The Governor said electrifying rural homes would ease daily life for residents, noting that no one should have to travel to Ahero just to charge a mobile phone.
“We want to bring electricity to the household level so that people from the villages do not need to go to Ahero to charge their phones,” The Governor said.
He called on all government officials, especially Ward and Sub-County Administrators to play an active role in protecting and safeguarding rural electrification efforts and ensuring it benefits the targeted communities.
CS Wandayi also echoed the governor on the issue of residents of Kisumu also helping in safeguarding the government projects.
“Once the government invests in critical infrastructure such as this electricity infrastructure, it is the duty of every citizen to take care of such infrastructure because public resources are scarce,” Said Wandayi.
Wandayi further commended the governor saying “Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o is a governor who knows what needs to be done to lead a County from step one to the next step, thank you so much for continuing to steer this county in the right direction”
Also present at the event were Members of the National Assembly Hon. Jared Okello, Hon. Ruth Odinga, and Hon. Anthony Oluoch, as well as Members of the County Assembly led by Majority Leader Ken Ooko and Majority Whip Seth ‘Adui Nyang’ Kanga, alongside the REREC’s regional team.
