Transformer

By Nicholas Anyuor,

The County Government of Migori in collaboration with the Kenya Electricity and Transmission Company (KETRACO) has embarked on a Kshs10 billion power project that will see more than 200, 000 residents enjoy uninterrupted power supply and free WiFi services.

This comes after a team from the KETRACO led by the Chairman Eng James Rege paid a courtesy call to Governor Zachary Okoth Obado before proceeding to tour the areas covered in the project.

Eng Rege said the project will spend Ksh2.4 billion for the establishment of electricity sub-stations in Isebania and in Ndhiwa-Ongeng’ areas to boost power supply in the region.

“Other installations towards the sub stations will cost more money that will lead to the spending of Kshs10 billion in total. This is a massive project that will benefit many residents of Migori County,” he said.

Addressing members of the Press at the Governor’s office, Eng Rege said that the project, apart from reducing the rampant power outages in Migori County that has interfered with growth of industries and trade, the project will also provide fibre optic.

“Our power lines are four-legged and on top, there is a fibre wire that will carry the fibre optic infrastructure. This will offer free WiFi services to residents of Migori,” he said.

Governor Okoth Obado, after a meeting with the team from KETRACO, lauded the move, saying it will boost trade, industrialization and new technology in the area moreso in urban centres.

“KETRACO is on a fact-finding mission. Once they are done, the intermittent power that has been characteristic of Migori will be a thing of the past,” said Obado.

He noted that the economic benefits arising from stable, reliable power supply to the residents of Migori are enormous.

“First reliable electricity will open up investments opportunities to the Jua Kali sector and other SMEs. Coupled with the provision of fibre optics, the business will be able to not only access online information critical to their operations, but will also open up their businesses to the rest of the world,” Obado said.

The Governor said that his government will cooperate with KETRACO to ensure the project was done without interference to benefit the people of Migori.

Migori County has had power supply problem. Two weeks ago residents of Migori town staged protests against the Kenya Power over incessant power outage.

“We are happy with the project. This is wonderful and now our Jua Kali sector will be boosted. This is what we have been waiting for,” said George Odhiambo, a resident of Migori who is also a welder.