President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday announced a drop in electricity connection fees from Sh35,000 to a new tariff of Sh15,000.
Speaking in Katulu Primary School in Tala, Machakos County, the President said that he has also instructed Kenya Power to allow the Sh15,000 to be paid in instalment for those who cannot afford the whole amount at once.
"People can now connect power to their homes and pay later from their bills," said the president amid cheers.
Kenyatta revealed that his government intends to have connected 70 per cent of Kenyan homes by 2017.
"I can assure you that by 2017 we will have managed to light not less than 70 per cent of Kenyan homes. Kenya will be like the western world," he said.
The president bashed opposition leaders who are going round the country drumming up support for the Okoa Kenya referendum push.
He said that politics should not be allowed to take centre stage while development takes the back seat.
Other leaders who attended include Deputy President (DP) William Ruto, Machakos governor Dr Alfred Mutua and his Makueni counterpart Prof Kivutha Kibwana among other local leaders.