Matching Funds: Collaborating with Constituencies and County Governments to Enhance Rural Electrification

Access to electricity in rural areas will be enhanced following the decision by The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) to adopt a participatory planning and action approach to rural electrification. Under this innovative approach, REA will partner with Constituency Development Fund (CDF), County Governments and other stakeholders in sourcing for funds to enhance electrification in rural areas. REA is undertaking these projects in partnership on a 50:50 funding basis.

Dubbed the Matching Funds Project, the agreements between the parties define the structure of cooperation and partnership between the Parties with regard to the implementation of electrification projects where

So far, REA has signed agreements with Kakamega and Tharaka Nithi Counties in June 2018. REA will jointly with the County Governments and CDF, identify projects to be implemented from the funding. Under the agreements, REA has committed to conduct survey and design, prepare technical specifications for the materials, procurement of the materials to be used, undertake the construction and supervision and finally organize for the commissioning and handing over of the projects to Kenya Power & Lighting Company upon completion of construction;

The County Governments and CDF on the other hand shall also undertake to allocate funds for the projects. While signing the agreements at REA Offices, The Governor of Kakamega County, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya said his government will transfer Sh60 million to REA every year for projects and that transformers will be installed in all the 60 wards in Kakamega County. “The programme will encourage cottage industries in the county, besides enhancing security” the Gorvenor said. REA will provide a similar amount annually towards power connectivity in the county. “Every shilling paid by the county will be matched by REA to ensure successful implementation and coverage of the entire county by 2022” says the Authority’s CEO Mr. Peter Mbugua.

To enable the County Governments and CDF discharge their functions REA shall ensure that the Officers designated by the County Government for the project, work together with the Authority Officers for purposes of capacity building on the various activities and procedures required for the implementation of the project.

The Matching Fund Project was launched in Ruungu and Kanthanga Cini Markets in Tharaka Constituency. Tharaka - Nithi County. 

REA Sponsors Mwea Classic Marathon

REA joined other sponsors at the launch of the 2018 Mwea Classic Marathon and also the celebration of its 10th anniversary at the Athletics Kenya office in Nairobi. During the occasion, REA presented a donation of Kshs. 900,000/- towards the 2018 event.  The chief guest, at the occasion, Athletics Kenya President Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei congratulated the sponsors for supporting youth empowerment and the development of athletics in the country.

ea Marathon organizers’ led by Chairman Charles Gichobi informed the meeting that Kirinyaga County has a high untapped potential for producing world class athletes as it has previously produced Daniel Wanjiru the 2017 London Marathon and 2016 Amsterdam Marathon winner. Kirinyaga County has also produced Morris Munene the 2016 Madrid half marathon winner.

In attendance were officials from the Mwea Marathon, Athletics Kenya, the County Government of Kirinyaga, two time Olympic champion David Rudisha and former world marathon record holder Patrick Makau. The 2018 Mwea Marathon which was held on 21st July 2018 at Wanguru stadium, Mwea Constituency, Kirinyaga County. The marathon is an annual event whose objective is to promote the uptake of athletics as a sport by the youth in the county. Proceeds from the race are also used for promotion of education initiatives in the County.

Donation of Sanitary Towels to Girls living with disability

In May, the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) donated sanitary towels and garments worth Kshs. 300,000/- to girls living with disability at 8 schools in Kakamega County. REA was invited to carry out the CSR activity by former nominated Senator Hon. Godliver Omondi, and the current Member of the County Assembly (MCA) for Kholera Ward, Kakamega County. She is also the Patron of the United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK). The REA team that accompanied the former nominated Senator included Elizabeth Onoka, Lucy Muricho and Anne Bosibori.

The schools which benefited from this CSR activity include Bulimbo Special school, Matungu SDA Special school for the mentally handicapped, Koyonzo Special School for the visually impaired, Kiyondo Special school, St. Angela Secondary school for the deaf, Arise and Shine special school for the disabled, Daisy Special school for the physically handicapped and vocational training and Kakamega Special school for the deaf, all in Kakamega County.

During visit, Hon. Godliver shared her experience growing up as a disabled girl in the village and the way she managed to grow to become a Senator despite the challenges. She encouraged the girls to overlook their physical challenges and to work hard towards achieving their dreams.

On behalf of the schools visited, Hon. Omondi thanked REA for the support and requested for future partnership between REA and UDPK to offer support to persons living with disability through REA’s CSR programme. The REA officials encouraged the UDPK and the respective schools to send in their proposals for CSR partnership each year for consideration noting that REA is a disability conscious organization that considers employment and procurement opportunities for persons living with disability.