President William Ruto, with his deputy Kithure Kindiki, has been on the Kenyan coast for a few days to launch some projects that he has defined as ‘essential’ to allow the coastal region to improve its accessibility and services.
The priority was certainly to launch a series of electrical projects costing several billion shillings, with the intention of providing a stable supply of energy to industries and families throughout Kilifi County.
For this reason, last Wednesday he was at the mouth of the Sabaki River, north of Malindi, to launch a connectivity network that should reach at least 20,000 households and with the addition of the Sabaki substation, a 273 million shilling project, should improve the reliability of electricity for both residents and businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector.
‘I came here because I have received numerous complaints about the electricity supply, namely that even those who are connected do not receive it or cannot count on it being continuous,’ said Ruto during the launch of the substation.
In addition to the two projects in Malindi, in Kilifi County Ruto also inaugurated other power stations in Mariakani, Rabai and Bomani, and a new grid that will connect Kilifi to Malindi.
President Ruto expressed optimism that these initiatives will catalyse economic transformation in Kilifi County, attracting investment and creating job opportunities, particularly for young people. Governor Gideon Mung'aro, present at the launch of the projects, is confident that they will strengthen the county's investment prospects. Mung'aro hinted that Kilifi County is growing rapidly from an industrial point of view, and is becoming one of the most sought-after investment destinations in the country.
Another important project launched by Ruto, after being in Malindi, is the first solar power plant on the island of Lamu, which will extend access to electricity not only in the northernmost county on the coast and in the archipelago, but throughout all the counties as far as Mombasa, namely Lamu, Tana River and Kilifi.
The plan is part of the government initiative to bring electricity to every home in Kenya, even in the most remote corners of the country, by 2030.

(photo: William Ruto X page)