By Ebi Kesiena
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary nominee Opiyo Wandayi has pledged to ensure the realization of the last mile connectivity initiative.
Speaking before the Committee on Appointments at Parliament on Saturday, Wandayi emphasized his commitment to working closely with the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).
Wandayi addressed the issue of the Ministry of Energy’s current inability to transmit power from generators to end-users due to insufficient transmission capacity.
“I will collaborate closely with the agencies under my docket to expedite the modernization of infrastructure, particularly in achieving last mile connectivity,” he stated.
To finance these improvements, Wandayi disclosed plans to engage with development partners alongside KPLC and REREC. He highlighted a World Bank-funded project aimed at extending power to off-grid areas where the national grid has not yet reached.
Responding to a query from Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah regarding the potential to lower power costs, Wandayi pointed out Kenya’s significant geothermal resources. “We are fortunate as a country to have geothermal resources that could make our energy among the cheapest,” he said.
However, he criticized Independent Power Producers (IPPs) who hold licenses but do not utilize the sites, instead engaging in speculation, which hinders KenGen’s ability to generate additional power despite having excess capacity.
