Kenya’s ambitious Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP) has taken a significant step forward with a new grant. The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided KSh 1.85 billion (around $14 million) to support the fifth phase of this project. This funding will enable Kenya Power to connect 9,121 households to electricity across four counties: Nakuru, Kwale, Kilifi, and Nyandarua.
The goal is to have these homes connected by January 2025. The JICA grant is a major boost, coming just two months after Kenya Power signed 26 contracts for the implementation of Phase 4 of the LMCP. This part of the project, costing KSh 27 billion (around $207 million), is funded by the French Development Agency, the European Union, and the European Investment Bank. It aims to connect 280,000 new customers to the national grid by November 2025.
Under the first three phases of the LMCP, 746,867 households have been connected to the grid. This has been achieved at a cost of KSh 51.1 billion (around $393 million). So far, KSh 73.1 billion (around $562 million) has been spent on the LMCP, part of the Kenya National Electrification Strategy developed in 2015. The main objective is to speed up access to electricity for households and businesses across the country, with Kenya Power serving as the project’s implementing agent.
The LMCP has been instrumental in increasing Kenya’s electricity access rate to 76%, translating to 9.6 million households connected to the grid. Kenya Power attributes this success to maximizing the efficiency of existing distribution transformers. By connecting every household within 600 meters of a transformer and installing new transformers for households outside this radius, the project has significantly expanded electricity access.
The new grant from JICA is expected to further enhance these efforts, bringing reliable electricity to thousands more homes. This development marks another milestone in Kenya’s journey toward comprehensive electrification and improved quality of life for its citizens.
Kenya Power continues to push forward with its electrification agenda. The funding for Phase 4 and the recent JICA grant for Phase 5 highlight the ongoing international support for Kenya’s electrification efforts. The goal is to connect as many households as possible to the national grid, improving access to electricity and fostering economic development.
The LMCP’s success has been built on a foundation of strategic planning and efficient implementation. By leveraging existing infrastructure and investing in new technologies, Kenya Power has been able to deliver electricity to millions of households. This approach not only increases access but also ensures the sustainability of the electrification efforts.
