Saito Farm Residents Connected to Power After Six Decades

 

 Joy and relief filled Saito Farm in Ainabkoi/Olare Ward today as residents witnessed the long-awaited commissioning of the Siliboi–Saito Electrification Project, ending more than 60 years of living without electricity.

For 82-year-old Mzee Michael Cheptum (Cheboren), one of the area’s longest-serving residents, the moment was historic.
“It has been a lifetime of waiting. Today, we finally feel seen, valued, and connected to the rest of the country,” he said, reflecting on decades of relying on lanterns and firewood for lighting.

Governor Jonathan Bii lauded the project as a milestone in the county’s drive to enhance rural electrification and spur inclusive growth.
“This project is a game-changer for Saito. Electricity transforms lives — it boosts agricultural productivity, supports small businesses, improves learning environments for our children, and uplifts entire communities,” Governor Bii said during the commissioning ceremony.

The project has connected more than 325 households, bringing power to a community that had long been marginalized. The county government emphasized that electricity will facilitate climate-smart agriculture, enhance livelihoods, and support local enterprises.

The Siliboi–Saito Electrification Project is part of a broader county initiative to extend power access. Sixteen additional electrification projects are set for rollout this year, targeting villages and households that have waited for decades for connection.

Governor Bii pledged continued commitment to ensuring that no community is left behind:
“By the end of this year, thousands more residents across Uasin Gishu will have access to electricity. We are lighting homes, but more importantly, we are illuminating pathways to economic growth and development.”

For the residents of Saito Farm, the switch has finally been flipped — bringing light, hope, and new opportunities to generations to come.