President William Ruto, who flags off electrification materials belonging to the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation in the Hindi area of Lamu County on May 22, 2026/HANDOUT
A total of 1,667 families in Lamu County are set to be connected to electricity by the end of this year under a government-backed project estimated to cost KSh 616 million.
The announcement was made by President William Ruto, who officially flagged off electrification materials belonging to the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation in the Hindi area of Lamu County.
The Head of State said the initiative is part of a broader plan to electrify more than 53,000 homesteads across the Coast region in line with his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The electrification drive is expected to boost access to reliable power, stimulate local businesses, improve education facilities, and enhance healthcare delivery in rural communities that have long struggled with energy poverty.
REREC’s Finance General Manager, CPA Davis Cheruiyot making a presentation to President William Ruto. He highlighted ongoing electrification efforts in Lamu County on May 22, 2026./HANDOUT
President Ruto, accompanied by local Members of Parliament and Cabinet Secretaries from the Coast region, underscored the importance of energy access in driving economic growth. He was joined by leaders, including Ali Hassan Joho, who supported the rollout.
During his address, Ruto criticised the opposition, accusing them of lacking a concrete development agenda and instead focusing on divisive ethnic politics.
The materials flagged off will be used to implement the Barghoni–Bodhei–Milimani electrification project, which will directly benefit 110 households.
According to REREC General Manager for Finance Davies Cheruiyot, who represented CEO Dr Rose Mkalama, several other projects are underway, including:
Hindi–Bargon–Mswakini project targeting 300 households.
Shaka–Isakani Nursery School project benefiting 33 customers.
Kiunga HESCO project, among others aimed at expanding rural electrification.
The government’s investment in rural electrification forms part of Kenya’s long-term energy strategy aimed at achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
Kenya’s national electrification rate currently stands at about 75 per cent, although rural and marginalised areas such as Lamu continue to lag behind. Expanding access is expected to reduce reliance on kerosene and diesel generators, cut carbon emissions, and support renewable energy integration.
President Ruto is on a four-day working tour of the Coast region, a political stronghold traditionally aligned with the opposition. His visit comes at a time when the region is reassessing its political direction following the decline of late ODM party leader Raila Odinga’s influence.
By prioritising infrastructure and energy projects, Ruto aims to consolidate support in the Coast region and demonstrate his administration’s commitment to equitable development.
