Electricity prices set to decline by 20 per cent, says Deputy President William Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has assured the business community that electricity prices are set to reduce in the coming months.

Malindi, Kenya: Electricity prices are set to go down by about 20 per cent from next month, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

He said customers will pay less following the injection of 280 megawatts of electricity to the grid.

"We expect customers' bills to reflect this by end of September because we are injecting more power to the grid," he said.

Already about 140mw had been added to the national grid. The remaining will be done by next month.

By December, Ruto added, the Government will reduce the cost of electricity by 30 per cent to cut the cost of production and spur economic growth.

Ruto noted that the cost of energy was one of the major components that contribute to economic growth.

“We know electricity is important to the business community. By end of the year the bills will come done by 30 per cent. Bringing down the cost of energy will give our industries an opportunity to produce goods cheaply thereby attracting more people to purchase,” said the Deputy President.

Addressing the Business Community in Malindi town, the Deputy President said Kenya was using new technology in laying out its infrastructure, which has made work easier, quicker and cheaper.

“Kenya Power is now using new technology to fix poles and cabling. The new measures have increased the quality of electricity in homes and industries and reduced wastage,” he said.

He said the Government was determined to light up the whole country and also create job opportunities for the youth.

Ruto said plans to produce additional 5,000 megawatts of electricity by 2017 were on course.

The electricity produced will significantly make it cheaper for homesteads and industries. In addition, more homes will be connected to the grid.

Noting that devolved system of governance was key to accelerated development at the grassroots level, the Deputy President said the Government was committed to protecting and ensuring the success of devolution.

The Deputy  President also launched various projects among them  Kadzandani in Magarini and Kijiwetanga  in Msabaha and a mango processing factory worth Sh 600 million, a joint investment between the Government and Organic Growers and Packers

The factory will produce mango and banana juice for export.

Ruto also launched two technical institutes -in Garsen and Hola.

Ruto said the Government was committed to serving all Kenyans equally irrespective of party or political affiliation.

“Let it be clear that this Government will serve those who voted for us and those who voted for other parties. We shall not discriminate, we shall not sideline anyone or groups of people from participating in national development programmes," said Ruto.

He called on Kenyans to unite as a people with one sense of purpose of making the country secure, peaceful and attractive to investments.

The Deputy President said the Government was committed to securing the country both from internal and external aggression noting that this year alone 10,000 youths will be recruited in the police service to beef up the existing numbers besides improving on the working conditions of police officers.

“Peace is paramount for the development of this country and I want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to contain insecurity problems in all parts of the country,” he said.

He told wananchi to play a greater role in the fight against insecurity saying they were always at the grassroots and might be living in one way or another with those undermining peace efforts.

“Security matters are collective responsibility where all of us must participate if we are to get rid of criminal elements undermining peace efforts,” said Ruto.

Leader of Majority in National Assembly Aden Duale, MPs Dan Kazungu, Magarini MP Harry Kombe and Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok West) attended the meeting.