Kabondo west: Residents of Kabondo West in the Rachuonyo East sub-county are urgently calling on the government to prioritize their area in the ongoing Last Mile electricity connectivity project. The project, valued at Sh2.1 billion, aims to connect 25,000 households in Homabay County, yet over 500 households in Kamwangi, Kolal, and Karateng villages remain without electricity.
According to Kenya News Agency, the residents are expressing their dissatisfaction with the lack of progress. Lawrence Ouma, a local youth leader, highlighted that while other villages enjoy electricity through the Last Mile connectivity, Kabondo West has yet to see any infrastructure such as electricity poles or wires. He emphasized the reliance on costly alternatives like solar panels, lanterns, and kerosene lamps, which have become a financial burden.
Ouma also pointed out the adverse effects on education, as children are forced to study under dim kerosene lamps, potentially damaging their eyesight over time. The absence of electr
icity is also stifling local commerce and exacerbating youth unemployment in the area.
Resident Selina Juma expressed her frustration to journalists, stating that she has never experienced the convenience of electric lighting in her home since the launch of the Last Mile Connectivity projects in Homa Bay. She feels her sub-location has been overlooked in the electrification efforts.
Peter Keya, another resident, added that the lack of electricity hampers the establishment of essential businesses such as cyber cafés, welding workshops, and posho mills. He mentioned the inconvenience of traveling long distances to access basic services like phone charging and digital government services. Keya urged the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) to map out their villages for inclusion in the electrification project.
The residents are now appealing to the Ministry of Energy and REREC to address their concerns and bring electricity to their region, which they believe will spur economic devel
opment and job creation for the local youth.
