Senate probes Sh41.76 billion rural electrification programme after delays leave households without power

Senate probes Sh41.76 billion rural electrification programme after delays leave households without power

The slow pace of implementation has raised concerns over stalled electricity projects, with legislators questioning why households remain unconnected despite the installation of power infrastructure in some areas.

Senators have launched a probe into the Sh41.76 billion rural electrification programme after a parliamentary report revealed that only Sh8.86 billion, representing 21 per cent of the total budget, had been spent by March 31, 2026, despite the programme having started in January 2020 and being scheduled to end in July 2028.

The slow pace of implementation has raised concerns over stalled electricity projects, with legislators questioning why households remain unconnected despite the installation of power infrastructure in some areas.

The Senate Energy Committee is investigating the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), which senators accuse of launching projects during high-profile events without ensuring they are completed.

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale criticised REREC over delays in connecting households after the installation of electricity poles.

“REREC launches projects when the President visits, and then everything stalls. Poles stand for years without a single household being connected,” Khalwale said.

The concerns were raised during a meeting of the Committee, chaired by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang, in Parliament.

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The Committee was considering findings from the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) report on budget implementation in the energy sector for the 2025-26 financial year.

With the programme expected to end in July 2028, senators want to establish whether REREC can complete the planned electricity connections within the remaining period.

Kisang said the Committee would conduct targeted investigations in counties where projects have stalled despite the installation of infrastructure.

“We will identify between one and three counties with stalled REREC projects and undertake targeted oversight visits to establish the challenges delaying electricity connections,” Kisang said.

The visits will seek to establish why electricity poles have remained standing for years without connections being extended to households and other intended beneficiaries.

Tana River County is among the areas set for scrutiny after Senator Danson Mungatana requested an investigation into the delays affecting electricity projects.

The Committee agreed to visit the county next month to inspect last-mile connectivity projects and determine the reasons behind the slow implementation.

Last-mile connectivity projects are intended to extend electricity access to the final users, including households awaiting connections.

Nominated Senator Beatrice Ogolla also questioned delays in fulfilling electrification commitments made during President William Ruto’s visit to Homa Bay in August.

“REREC reached the first school only two days ago. The second stop is still pending, and residents are still waiting,” Ogolla said.

Following her concerns, the Committee directed its secretariat to write to the REREC chief executive seeking an explanation on the status of the commitments made during the President’s visit.

The Committee also directed its secretariat to obtain details of programmes transferred to the National Infrastructure Fund.

In addition, the PBO will prepare a separate analysis of the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project for consideration at the committee’s next meeting.

The investigations will focus on identifying the challenges holding back electricity connections and establishing the progress made in implementing projects funded under the rural electrification programme.