The government has rolled out multi-billion-shilling electricity projects aimed at providing stable and reliable power to industries and households across Kilifi County. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to bolstering economic growth, improving living standards, and achieving universal electricity access by 2030.
On February 27, 2025, President William Ruto launched the Sh2 billion Last Mile Connectivity project. The project intends to connect over 20,000 households across various locations within Kilifi County to the national grid. Alongside the connectivity project, the President also commissioned the Sh273 million Sabaki Power Substation, which is expected to significantly bolster power reliability for residents and businesses, particularly those within the hospitality sector.
Addressing local leaders, stakeholders, and residents during the launch, President Ruto emphasized the importance of these initiatives for the county’s development. “We have allocated the people of Kilifi Sh2 billion to connect over 20,000 households to the national grid,” he announced. He added, “I have come to commission the substation because there were complaints about existing unreliability. With this new substation, we will resolve these issues.”
The President highlighted the government’s strategic efforts to improve electricity supply, illustrating how reliable power is pivotal to both domestic use and industrial growth. “Apart from this substation, we are constructing transmission lines from Mariakani and additional substations at Rabai and Bomani,” he stated. He expressed his optimism about these projects catalyzing economic transformation in Kilifi County, attracting investments, and creating job opportunities, particularly for the youth. “This will enable households, companies, hotels, and industrial facilities to use electricity effectively, transforming Kilifi,” he noted.
Local leaders, including Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro, applauded the government for these developmental strides, asserting they would boost the county’s investment prospects. Governor Mung'aro remarked on Kilifi’s rapid industrial growth and noted it has become one of the most sought-after investment destinations. Other notable figures presenting during the event included Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and Cabinet Secretaries Salim Mvurya, Hassan Ali Joho, and Alfred Mutua, along with Kilifi County Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu and Malindi MP Amina Laura Mnyazi.
Speaking to journalists following the launch, Eng. Kennedy Owino, Kenya Power and Lighting’s General Manager for Infrastructure Development, described the Sabaki substation as one of the firm’s flagship projects. “Malindi is a key tourist destination, and establishing this substation will significantly support the hospitality industry here,” he stated. He also mentioned upcoming projects, including the installation of solar mini-grid stations on Kirepwe Island to expand access to reliable power for residents.
On the revenue collection front, the Kilifi County government has launched an ambitious program aimed at generating Sh2 billion from local sources by the end of the financial year. During the launch of this initiative, Governor Mung'aro outlined the deployment of 598 county officials across various departments to enforce compliance among businesses and investors. He stressed the importance of this exercise, warning defaulters of potential legal action. “This county can collect over Sh3 billion. For this exercise, we are targeting Sh2 billion,” Mung'aro declared.
The governor elaborated on two objectives for the exercise: to gather data on all businesses, properties, and investments within the county and to fully digitize the revenue collection system. “We want to make all revenue payments paperless,” he asserted. His administration also aims to gather comprehensive data on properties, ensuring businesses and individuals have cleared all land rates, business licenses, water bills, and other dues owed to the county.
Governor Mung'aro emphasized the collective responsibility of all county officials in this process, stating, “Every county officer must contribute to revenue collection because we all depend on these funds for salaries and allowances.”
Kilifi’s Finance Executive, Yaye Shosi, underscored the importance of the new initiative, acknowledging the county’s historical difficulties meeting revenue targets. “This year, we aim for Sh2 billion; hence we have initiated this Rapid Results Initiative to close the revenue gap,” she expressed, sharing the same belief as the governor of the county’s potential to collect Sh4 billion annually.
“If we are earnest about collection, we can achieve it,” Yaye concluded, expressing determination not only to meet but to exceed the set targets, signaling positive prospects for Kilifi County's financial future.