Rural electrification takes centre stage in Busia

Two hundred households in Lugulu village, Butula Constituency, have been connected to electricity following the commissioning of a rural electrification project by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

The project, implemented by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), is part of the Government’s broader programme to expand electricity access in rural communities and improve the delivery of basic services.

Koskei commissioned the project during a thanksgiving ceremony held in honour of National Land Commission Commissioner Susan Oyatsi.

REREC Chief Executive Officer Dr Rose Mkalama said the Government has allocated Ksh6.83 billion for electricity projects targeting about 93,000 households across four counties in Western Kenya.

According to Mkalama, the funding will support 966 projects to be implemented jointly by REREC and Kenya Power.

Busia County has been allocated Ksh1.45 billion, which will finance 241 electrification projects across the county’s seven constituencies.

Mkalama said the projects are expected to benefit about 17,000 households, extending electricity access to communities that remain underserved.

The Lugulu connection is therefore part of a wider electrification programme aimed at increasing access beyond urban and peri-urban centres.

Speaking at the event, Koskei linked investments in rural infrastructure to the Government’s efforts to improve the lives of citizens. He urged opposition leaders to acknowledge development projects that are benefiting communities when assessing the Government’s performance.

His remarks were directed partly at Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who attended the ceremony.

Koskei also called for greater use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in disagreements between government and other parties, saying dialogue should be considered before resorting to litigation.

He argued that court cases involving government can consume significant time and financial resources, while some disputes could be resolved through direct engagement and other alternative mechanisms.

The ceremony was attended by several senior government officials, including Higher Education Principal Secretary Beatrice Inyangala.

Omtatah, who avoided confrontational political rhetoric during the event, praised Oyatsi as a forthright leader who had brought honour to Busia County.

Oyatsi is among the current commissioners of the National Land Commission. She was sworn into office in March 2026 alongside NLC Chairperson Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy and five other commissioners.

According to the National Land Commission’s official profile, Oyatsi has previously held senior financial positions in both the Judiciary and the Executive.

The Lugulu project highlights the Government’s ongoing push to expand rural electricity connectivity, with further investments planned across Busia and other counties in Western Kenya.