Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira has underscored the role of affordable and reliable energy in empowering youth and unlocking Kenya’s economic potential, saying energy access remains the backbone of the country’s development and industrial growth.
Speaking at Kahunguini Primary School in Gatundu South during the Jamii Imara Mashinani engagement forum, Wachira said the government’s ongoing energy programs are designed not only to light homes but to power opportunities for young people across the country.
“When we talk about rural electrification and renewable energy expansion, we are not just talking about power lines — we are talking about livelihoods,” Wachira said. “When a small business gets electricity, when a school or a health center is powered, that community changes forever.”
The PS encouraged youth to take full advantage of the Nyota Program, an empowerment initiative providing training, certification, and business support to young entrepreneurs and artisans.
“The Nyota Program is one of the tools we are using to give our youth a fair chance,” Wachira said. “Through skills certification and business support, we are unlocking their potential to innovate, create jobs, and contribute to national growth.”
He added that the Jamii Imara Mashinani initiative provides a unique opportunity for citizens to engage directly with government leaders, understand policies, and share feedback that shapes service delivery at the grassroots level.
“This forum is about bringing government to the people,” Wachira said. “We want every Kenyan to feel heard, supported, and empowered to participate in the country’s growth story.”
Lands CS Alice Wahome, who also attended the event, echoed the PS’s sentiments, saying that unity of purpose among leaders and citizens was critical in sustaining progress across the Mount Kenya region.
“Our region has seen tremendous transformation through infrastructure, agriculture, and housing projects,” Wahome said. “Let us continue supporting development and reject divisive politics.”
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura praised the energy sector’s contribution to Kenya’s economic agenda, noting that the government’s focus remains on tangible progress rather than political rhetoric.
“The Kenya Kwanza government is walking the talk,” Mwaura said. “Every project — whether it’s a new road, a market, or a power line — is proof that the government is committed to transforming lives.”