The government has allocated Ksh 799 million for energy development projects in South Nyanza, a move aimed at bolstering access to clean and reliable electricity in the region. Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi made the announcement during his maiden visit to the KenGen-run Gogo Falls power plant in Migori County.
The projects, being implemented by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) and the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), are expected to connect 18,022 new customers to the national electricity grid upon completion.
“This will be a significant move towards providing clean, efficient, reliable, and affordable energy to the citizenry,” Wandayi stated.
One of the key initiatives under this investment is the upgrade of the Gogo Falls hydropower station. The plant’s current capacity of 2 megawatts (MW) will be expanded to 8.6MW, significantly enhancing its contribution to the national grid. Wandayi emphasized that this upgrade is part of the government’s broader strategy for a green energy transition.
He noted that renewable sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal already contribute about 80 percent to the country’s energy mix. However, to achieve a 100 percent transition to green energy by 2030, there is a pressing need to sustainably exploit existing renewable energy resources.
“It is out of this realisation that we purpose to capitalise on the potential of sites such as Gogo, among many other renewable sources, to meet the rising demand,” he added.
Wandayi also launched a nationwide safety campaign dubbed Kaa Safe Mtaani, aimed at promoting the safe use and storage of electricity and gas. The multi-sectoral initiative seeks to raise awareness about potential dangers associated with energy use and instill safety practices in households and communities.
“We need to be weary of the potential dangers posed by electricity and gas, and therefore, proper usage and storage are important components to consider in this journey,” Wandayi advised.
The projects mark a major step toward energy access and safety for residents in South Nyanza and beyond
