Kenya Power has launched the sixth phase of its Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP), aiming to connect 150,000 new customers to the national electricity grid. This phase, funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB), will cover 45 counties, excluding Nairobi and Mombasa, and is part of the government’s push toward universal electricity access by 2030.
Speaking during the announcement, Kenya Power Managing Director & CEO, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror said, “The funding will go a long way to boost the ongoing national electrification efforts and accelerate the attainment of universal access to electricity by the year 2030.”
The AfDB has previously financed Phases I and III of the LMCP, which connected 536,077 customers. With this third round of funding, the total number of connected households continues to grow.
The new phase includes major infrastructural upgrades: the construction and refurbishment of 13 substations (three 33/11kV new substations, three upgraded substations, and seven new switching stations). It also involves the extension of 211 kilometers of 33kV lines, 14 kilometers of 11kV distribution lines, and 6,798 kilometers of low voltage network.
“This project will also entail system reinforcements and grid extensions to boost social infrastructure such as education, healthcare, water, and sanitation,” the press release states.
Since 2015, Kenya Power has connected 746,867 customers under the LMCP. Phases IV and V, currently ongoing, aim to connect an additional 291,000 customers.
The LMCP has enjoyed broad international support from agencies including the World Bank, EU, JICA, and EIB.
