Nairobi — A Sh9 million hydro electricity project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is yet to benefit the people it was intended for because of the high cost of distributing the power.

Despite being completed in 2001, the 300 members of the Tungu-Kabiri community hydro power project, which generates 14 kilowatts of electricity, are yet to light up their homes.

Denied licence

"The Government initially denied us a licence to distribute electricity for our use or for sale to the neighbouring Kanwa shopping centre. We were told that only the Kenya Power and Lighting Company could sell or distribute electricity," the project chairman, Mr David Magambo, said.

When the Government finally relented and lifted the restriction in 2003, the group failed to raise enough money to buy a transformer. The group had intended to set up small businesses such as battery charging and welding shops and hair salons as residents of Mbwiru, Kanwa and surrounding areas had to travel to Chuka Town, about 15 kilometres away, for these services.

Long struggle

However, after a long struggle to acquire a transformer, the project suffered a crippling blow early this year when KPLC connected power to the area, effectively dashing the members' hopes of selling power to the community.

"We hope that the Government will one day buy the power we produce and alleviate our poverty," Mr Magambo said.

Like many of the project's members, Mr Magambo has been forced to connect KPLC electricity as he also cannot afford to connect the power produced by his own group.

The project which began in 1998, was to be implemented in two phases -- electricity production and pumping of water for irrigation.

With the electricity project yet to benefit members, the group is worried that the irrigation phase may also turn out to be another pipe dream.

Ease burden

Mzee Nkabu Kabiri, who is in his seventies, is however optimistic that the project he helped found 10 years ago, will eventually come to fruition and ease the burden of travelling long distances to fetch water.

Mr Mathew Kamweri, an official of the Kenya Rain Water Association who is helping implement the water project, says the project is on course and could be completed in three months.