An elderly woman, affectionately called Gogo by staff at the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) Kapsabet office, has moved colleagues to action after walking in alone to request an electricity connection, years after relying on paraffin to light her home. Gogo arrived at the office assisted only by a middle-aged woman who held her hand. Her quiet determination immediately drew the attention of Josephat Mengich, an officer in the Business Development Department.
The team later learnt that Gogo had lost her only son and was living alone. Despite her circumstances, she had been setting aside small amounts through her Inua Jamii account and had managed to save KSh 5,000 towards the cost of the connection by the time she arrived at the office. Before leaving, she told Mengich simply: "Kijana wangu, nimechoka kununua mafuta taa."
Mengich shared her story with his colleagues and proposed that the team pool their resources to help cover the remaining cost. The response was immediate. Following a site visit, verification of her application, and preparation of a formal quotation, the Kapsabet team collectively raised the full amount required.
The quotation has since been paid in full, bringing Gogo significantly closer to having a functioning electricity connection in her home. A KPLC spokesperson said that at Kenya Power, they are not just in the business of connecting electricity lines, but also in the business of connecting lives.
The company added that Gogo's visit was a reflection of the many Kenyans in rural and peri-urban areas who continue to go without access to electricity despite government-backed programmes designed to expand the national grid. Her determination to save what little she had, and to walk into their office on her own, reminded them of why this work matters.
For Gogo, the change is practical and immediate: she will no longer need to budget for paraffin or manage the safety risks that come with it. For the Kapsabet team, it was a reminder that noticing, listening, and choosing to act can be enough to alter someone's daily reality.
The incident occurred at the Kenya Power Kapsabet office in Nandi County, and the company's efforts to connect Gogo to electricity demonstrate its commitment to serving the community. The story of Gogo and the Kapsabet team has garnered attention, highlighting the impact that individuals and organizations can have on people's lives.
Key points
- Kenya Power staff in Kapsabet pooled funds to connect an elderly woman to electricity.
- The elderly woman, Gogo, had been relying on paraffin for years and had saved KSh 5,000 towards the connection fee.
- The incident highlights the company's commitment to serving the community and connecting lives.
