A new era dawned on Kathangachini and its surrounding areas as the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) team from Nairobi, led by the REREC Communications Manager, Beatrice Njuguna, launched the highly anticipated Kathangachini power supply works aimed at ensuring that all schools in the lower parts of Tharaka Nithi county are connected to the power grid.
This ambitious project cost KSh218 million and spans three constituencies namely Maara, Chuka, and Tharaka. It aims to benefit the community through the connection of over 18 projects, including schools.
The electrification initiative promises to bring significant improvements to the quality of life and economic prospects in these areas and also to ensure that pupils and students access their education at ease.
Dances of joy during the launch of electricity for schools at Kathangachini in Tharaka constituency.
Kathangachini, located in the arid lower part of Tharaka, has long been shrouded in darkness making it difficult for the learners to effectively compete with others from areas where there is electricity.
The lack of electricity has stymied development and limited access to essential services for the pupils and students as it is impossible to carry out practical lessons in the laboratory which has no electricity.
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Speaking at the launch, area Member of Parliament Gitonga Murugara reflected on the region’s electrification journey saying, “When I assumed office, the electricity coverage was a mere 9 per cent.
Through sustained efforts and commitment, we have managed to increase this to about 30 per cent. With this new project, our goal is to achieve 60 per cent coverage, ensuring that more residents have access to reliable power and all schools get connected to the power grid for easy learning of our children,” he said.
Beatrice Njuguna emphasized the transformative potential of the project, stating, “Electricity is a catalyst for development. It will not only improve the living standards but also stimulate economic activities, create jobs, and enhance educational and healthcare services. We are committed to ensuring that no part of this region remains in darkness.”
She urged parents to take advantage of the electricity to start small businesses which will enable them pay school fees for their children, adding that now learners will carry out their studies without strain of lack of electricity.
From Kathangachini Tharaka, the REREC team headed to Maara constituency. Here the team was received by Maara Member of National Assembly Kareke Mbiuki where they switched on a new established electric power line done by REREC.
Mbiuki expressed his satisfaction that the project was a big win for the people of Maara especially schools which for decades had no electricity leading to poor education performance.
“Most of the schools here were forced to use solar panels and sometimes when it’s raining or when it’s cloudy, the power from the solar panels is not enough, a thing which made students especially in secondary schools suspended their lessons,” he said.
He asked learners to take advantage of the electricity to study hard so that they can be at the same page with other students from the schools having electricity.
By Jeff Mwangi
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