Over 1,000 people living in villages and informal settlements in Bonchari have a reason to smile after they benefited from a subsidised power connection programme.
On Friday, Biliah Ongaga a resident in Kerina hailed the government for fast tracking the project.
According to Kenya Power business manager in Kisii Jared Begi, the connection is being implemented at a cost of Sh100 million, with the key objective of providing safe and affordable electricity to informal settlements.
Begi said the programme is supported by the World Bank Global Partnership on Output Based Aid (GPOBA), and aims to subsidise the cost of electricity connection to residents in informal settlements and other low-income regions.
He said the World Bank is giving Sh26,000 while Kenya power contributes Sh13,820 per installation, while qualifying customers pay Sh1,160 amounting to Sh34,980 per connection.
“The company has further made it possible to connect the residents by offering credit facilities through selected financial institutions,” said Begi.
He said under the credit facilitation, customers get connected and then remit payment for a specified period as agreed.
Already, more than 60 homes in Kerina village in Bonchari have been given the lighting.