Effects of Rural Electrification Program on MSEs Owners Sustainable Livelihoods: A Quantitative Survey of LMCP Kiharu Constituency, Murang'a Kenya

Abstract

Electricity Connectivity is the backbone of social and economic development in a country as it enhances the quality of life. The success of rural electricity programs should be determined by their effects on the sustainable livelihoods of their beneficiaries rather than the number of people they serve. This study investigates the effects of rural electrification on the sustainable livelihoods of MSEs owners through the elimination of health risks caused by fossil fuels, an increase in working hours, an increase in income, and increased employment. The results should assist developing countries to improve their country's HDI by making sure that their rural electrification programs improve the lives of their beneficiaries. A survey of bisexual respondents of different educational backgrounds aged (below 18 and above 35) agreed that clean energy, street lighting, reduction in the cost of energy and increased access to electricity due to the project improves the livelihoods of the MSEs owners. A weak relationship was found between access to clean energy and reduction of health risks posed by fossil fuels, street lighting and increase in working hours at night, reduction in the cost of energy and increased income and access to electricity and increased employment among MSEs owners. From the results, it's evident that rural electrification is not enough to improve the sustainable livelihood of MSEs owners as seen by the weak relationship between the variables. It should be combined with other developmental infrastructures to bring about the desired rural development which is the responsibility of the government and its development partners.