Kenya Power completes KSh 22m project to stabilize power supply in Kitui, Machakos
Kenya Power has completed a KSh 22 million inter-connector line between Kitui and Machakos counties, a move set to improve the stability of electricity supply for thousands of residents, businesses, and institutions.
The new line will directly benefit customers around South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), as well as the Kwavonza and Katangini areas, by providing a more reliable power source. It will also serve as an alternative supply route for other parts of Machakos County.
John Wanyoike, Kenya Power’s Kitui County Business Manager, said the project was critical for enhancing service quality. “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,” he stated.
The inter-connector is part of a broader strategy to bolster the region’s power infrastructure. The utility company is also set to construct a new substation at Mbitini to reduce outages in areas like Zombe, Ikanga, Voo, and Ikutha.
These developments follow a major upgrade of the main Kitui Substation, where capacity was doubled to 10MVA to meet soaring demand from new industries and residential customers.
“To meet this demand, we have increased the capacity at the Kitui Substation and dedicated a 33kV line to it,” Wanyoike added.
Currently, over 94,000 households in Kitui County are connected to the grid. Kenya Power aims to connect an additional 7,500 homes under Phase IV of the Last Mile Connectivity Project. To further improve grid resilience, the company invested nearly KSh 140 million last financial year to replace 1,200 wooden poles with more durable concrete ones.
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