Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi Begins Official Duties in Murang’a During Presidential Visit

On Friday, August 9, 2024, the newly appointed Energy Cabinet Secretary, Opiyo Wandayi, officially began his duties in Murang’a County. 

This was his first assignment since taking the oath of office alongside 18 other Cabinet Secretaries just a day earlier. 

Wandayi’s inaugural task involved joining President William Ruto on a tour of Murang’a, where they launched several key development projects aimed at improving the lives of the residents.

One of the main highlights of the visit was the launch of the last mile connectivity project in Kirungu village. 

This project is designed to extend electricity to more homes in rural areas, a critical step in enhancing the economic activities and quality of life for residents.

President Ruto and CS Wandayi visited the project site, where Ruto welcomed Wandayi warmly, signaling the start of his responsibilities. 

During their interaction, Ruto inquired with a friendly tone, “Waziri, uko area?...your first assignment here?” This exchange emphasized the significance of the event as a major milestone for Wandayi.

The last mile connectivity project in Kirungu is expected to connect 50 new households to the national grid. 

However, this is just the beginning. President Ruto announced that the government plans to invest a substantial Sh1 billion to expand electricity access to an additional 15,000 households across the region. 

This investment is part of a broader initiative by the government to ensure that more Kenyans, especially those in rural areas, have access to reliable electricity.

Besides the energy project, President Ruto addressed other pressing issues affecting the local community during his visit.

At Kambirwa in Kiharu, he spoke about upcoming reforms at the Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC), aimed at improving the organization’s responsiveness to farmers' needs.

Ruto promised to raise the price of milk to Sh50 per liter for farmers, with an additional Sh3 set aside for brokers, transporters, and other intermediaries involved in the dairy supply chain.

Furthermore, the President shared plans for reforms in the tea industry. 

He projected that tea farmers would see increased earnings from the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), with expected revenues rising from Sh170 billion last year to Sh210 billion this year.

The visit to Murang’a, which included the participation of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Roads CS Davis Chirchir, and Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, marks a strong start for CS Wandayi in his new role.