A new Sh2.7 billion power transmission project is expected to change electricity supply in Kajiado South and parts of Makueni County after President William Ruto commissioned the infrastructure on Thursday.
Ruto officially opened the Sultan Hamud-Loitoktok 132kV Transmission Line and Loitoktok Sub-Station during a ceremony held at Kimana in Kajiado South Constituency
The President said the new infrastructure would make electricity supply more reliable in the areas covered by the project and create a better environment for economic activities to grow.
He also announced that the government had set aside additional funds to expand household electricity connections in Kajiado South.
"We have allocated Sh1.4 billion to light up homes in Kajiado South through the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity project," he stated.
Ruto said the electricity investments were part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which his administration is using to support development at the local level.
“Under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, we are investing in infrastructure that unlocks opportunity at the local level, empowers communities and enables businesses to grow,” he said.
Sultan Hamud-Loitoktok 132kV Transmission Line and Loitoktok Sub-Station
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the projects would improve the stability, reliability and quality of electricity supplied to Kajiado and neighbouring areas.
The President's programme also took him to Kajiado Central, where he commissioned the Namanga Sub-Station.
The facility, developed by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company, is part of the 132kV Machakos-Konza-Isinya-Namanga Transmission Line.
Ruto said the Namanga project would strengthen electricity supply while supporting businesses and other economic activities along the Kenya-Tanzania border.
"The project will strengthen the reliability and stability of power supply in the region and support the growing economic activities along the border," he noted.
Electricity projects were only part of the President's activities in Kajiado, with Ruto also inspecting several ongoing developments in different parts of the county.
At Namanga, he checked the progress of the Sh50 million Namanga Modern Market, which is expected to create trading space for 120 traders and support commercial activities in the border town.
He later inspected the Kimana Modern Market in Kajiado South Constituency.
Other projects visited during the tour included the Kajiado Town Students' Hostels and an Affordable Housing Project in Kajiado Central, as well as other developments underway in the county.
Ruto said the projects reflected his administration's focus on ensuring development resources reach communities across the country.
“We will not relent in our pursuit of equity and inclusive development, ensuring that every region of Kenya benefits from the opportunities and investments of our national transformation agenda,” he said.
The President's tour covered Rombo, Loitoktok, Kimana, Namanga and Kajiado Town, where he inspected projects and addressed rallies.
The government has continued to present electricity infrastructure as an important part of its economic plans, with improved power supply expected to support businesses, industries and other activities at the local level.