By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
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Kenya, 29 April 2026 - Kenya Power and Lighting Company is facing renewed scrutiny from lawmakers over delays in the implementation of the Last Mile Connectivity Programme, a flagship project aimed at expanding electricity access to households across the country.
Members of the National Assembly have raised concerns over what they describe as painfully slow progress, questioning why a programme launched to accelerate universal electricity access continues to lag years after its inception.
The concerns came to a head during a session of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Energy, where lawmakers put officials from Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) and Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) on the spot over persistent delays in expanding electricity access, particularly in rural areas.
Committee chair David Gikaria sharply questioned the credibility of official government figures, pointing to a glaring disconnect between reported progress and realities on the ground.
“We are being told connectivity is above 70%, yet on the ground, it is a different story. Based on the data we have, last-mile connectivity is at only 9% with just months to go. This does not add up,” he stated, highlighting what legislators described as an alarming gap between policy claims and actual delivery.
Lawmakers also pushed back against explanations tied to funding constraints, rejecting arguments that delays were largely due to limited budgetary allocations or dependence on donor financing.
Instead, they argued that Kenya Power, having recently returned to profitability, should take a more proactive role in accelerating connections.
“Let us not hide behind the Finance Bill. If KPLC is now profitable, why can’t you use your own resources to drive last-mile connectivity instead of waiting for donors?” Gikaria posed, capturing the broader frustration within Parliament over what is increasingly being seen as a failure of execution rather than a lack of capacity.
The Last Mile Connectivity Programme, introduced in 2015, was designed to connect millions of Kenyans, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, to the national grid at subsidised rates.
It was positioned as a key pillar in achieving universal electricity access by 2030. However, more than a decade later, gaps in implementation are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Lawmakers now argue that the pace of execution does not match the scale of investment committed to the project. Billions of shillings have already been injected into the initiative through government funding and development partners, yet thousands of households remain unconnected or only partially served.
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Part of the concern lies in persistent structural challenges that have slowed progress over time. Past audit reports have pointed to delays in project execution, contract extensions, and logistical bottlenecks, including procurement challenges and wayleave disputes.
These delays have not only stretched timelines but also increased overall project costs.
There are also questions around planning and targeting. In some instances, infrastructure such as meters and service cables has reportedly been installed in areas where households are not yet fully developed, leaving equipment idle and exposing it to vandalism.
At the same time, funding constraints continue to weigh on the programme. Budget allocations for electrification projects have in previous cycles fallen significantly short of requirements, raising fears that financial limitations could further slow progress.
The scrutiny comes at a time when Kenya Power is also facing pressure over how it is recovering costs tied to the same project.
Recent revelations that the utility is deducting a portion of prepaid electricity tokens to recover last-mile connection loans have triggered public backlash, particularly among low-income households.
For MPs, the issue is no longer just about delays. It is about accountability and value for money. Questions are now being raised over whether the project is delivering on its original promise, or whether inefficiencies within the system are undermining its impact.
The stakes are high. Electricity access is not just a development goal; it is a driver of economic activity, education, and quality of life. Delays in connectivity mean delayed opportunity for households and small businesses that depend on reliable power.
As parliamentary oversight intensifies, attention is now shifting to whether Kenya Power can accelerate implementation, address structural inefficiencies, and restore confidence in one of the country’s most ambitious infrastructure programmes.