Kenya Power has completed the construction of an inter-connector between Kitui and Machakos counties at a cost of KShs.22 million. This will strengthen stability of electricity supply around SEKU University as well as in Kwavonza and Katangini areas in Machakos. Further, it will offer alternative supply to customers in parts of Machakos.

“This project will enhance service delivery and customer experience by improving the quality of power supply. Previously, SEKU University and adjacent customers were served by the Masii power line that runs from Katoloni in Machakos County, which often experienced outages due to its expansiveness,” said John Wanyoike, Kenya Power’s Kitui County Business Manager.

To further expand electricity access in Kitui County and reduce loses due to the overstretched power lines, Kenya Power is set to construct a Substation at Mbitini.  The substation will boost power supply and reduce outages in areas such as Zombe, Ikanga, Voo, and Ikutha.

Over the last two years, the Company has also completed a major upgrade of its Kitui Substation, doubling its capacity to 10MVA. This is in addition to the construction of a dedicated power line to the substation, a move that significantly improved power supply reliability to Kitui town and adjacent customers.

“The demand for electricity has been soaring recently, mainly from upcoming light industries and other customers that we have connected to the grid. To meet this demand, we have increased the capacity at the Kitui Substation and dedicated a 33kV line to the substation, with no other connections on it. Prior to these upgrades, we used to experience frequent power outages as the substation’s capacity was not adequate to serve all customers,” said Mr. Wanyoike.

Currently, more than 94,000 households within Kitui County are connected to the national grid. Under the ongoing Phase IV of the Last Mile Connectivity Project, the Company is targeting to connect an additional 7,500 households.

To improve infrastructure resilience in Kitui County, Kenya Power has replaced approximately 1,200 wooden poles affected by termites with concrete poles, investing nearly KShs. 140 million to fund this undertaking in the last financial year.