Lamu has a reason to celebrate thanks to the combined efforts of The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) and Kenya Power (KPLC). Lamu County is now connected to the national grid through the energizing of the Garsen to Lamu section of KETRACO’s Rabai–Malindi–Garsen-Lamu line.
This will replace the costly diesel power plants in Lamu and Mpeketoni as well as add to the number of consumers connected and supplied with the required quantity of affordable renewable energy within the county. It will also supply power to the planned Lamu port and help in expanding tourism and other cottage industries in the North Coast.
The coastal town also joins Isiolo County which just recently also gained access to the national grid. What this means for residents on the ground is increased security facilitated by electricity,longer working hours which will help businesses flourish and generally improve the everyday running of institutions such as hotels, hospitals, nightclubs and restaurants.
‘There will be reliable power available during the construction of Lamu port, expansion of the Manda Airport and construction of additional hotels in Lamu,”says Fernandes Barasa, KETRACO’s Acting Managing Director. The project cost was Kshs. 9.7 billion and was funded by the Government of Kenya and Exim bank of China.
Garissa is next in line to be connected to the national grid and in the next four years KETRACO plans to construct another 5000 kilometres and will be focused on strengthening the existing Transmission and enhancing Regional Inter-connections with Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia.