Kenya Commits $34M for Coastal Power

Key Figures & Findings: Kenya’s government has allocated KES 4.7 billion (approx. $34 million) for rural electrification across five coastal counties, with Kilifi County receiving KES 1.9 billion ($13.8 million). Launched in Boyani village, the initiative is implemented by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), which focuses on off-grid and last-mile energy access. The Boyani pilot electrifies 172 households and combines national funding with local NG-CDF contributions. Local leaders, including Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Mbetsa, pledged KES 30 million from the county to enhance efforts through REREC’s matching fund scheme. The initiative represents a growing reliance on shared funding among national, county, and constituency actors to expedite last-mile electrification in largely off-grid regions.

Insights: Over 220 localities in Rabai Constituency remain unelectrified, highlighting the scale of unmet demand despite recent project launches. REREC’s matching fund model is being scaled across the region, and county governments like Kilifi are now emerging as key co-financiers, signaling a shift toward decentralized electrification planning.

Future Implications: If funding flows remain consistent and local coordination holds, the coastal electrification drive could connect thousands of households by 2027. However, delays in disbursement or weak technical execution by REREC could stall momentum and erode public trust in off-grid investment promises.

Source: MSN Africa