Local firms earn Sh16bn on supplies to Kenya Power

A Kenya Power technician at work. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

By LYNET IGADWAH

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Summary

• Kenya Power embarked on a deliberate drive to contract local suppliers and support Kenya’s manufacturing industry.
• During the year to June, local manufacturers supplied 70 per cent of materials needed in the company’s projects across the country.

Local manufacturers are some of the biggest beneficiaries of Kenya Power’s

projects in the year to June, having supplied it with materials worth Sh15.6 billion.

Kenya Power embarked on a deliberate drive to contract local suppliers and support Kenya’s manufacturing industry.

During the year to June, local manufacturers supplied 70 per cent of materials needed in the company’s projects across the country.

This is above the minimum 40 per cent local procurement requirement set by the government for state-owned institutions, but below the 80 per cent target that Kenya Power targets.

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Kenya Power General Manager for Customer Service Peter Mwichigi said engaging local manufacturers is intended to grow the economy.

“There are more opportunities for Kenya Power to work with local manufacturers as the company continues to focus on its medium-term strategy of infrastructure development, effective network management, customer focus and loss reduction for efficiency,” he said.

The company is currently implementing the Last Mile Connectivity Project (LMCP) which seeks to connect 940,900 households in rural and low-income areas to the national grid.