Western Kenya is set to experience a stable and uninterrupted electricity supply following a rapid infrastructural upgrade initiated by Kenya Power, Kenya’s main electricity distributor.
Residents from Kisumu, Busia, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Siaya counties have been experiencing frequent power outages and power surges over a long period of time.
The region’s manager, Dan Obiero said that infrastructure upgrade will include; installation of high capacity transformers, construction of new substations and power line extensions at strategic location.
Drop in power bills
The ongoing project has already seen an installation of a 45 Mega Volt-Amp (MVA), additional transformers at Muhoroni, Ndhiwa, Awendo and Nyamira substations and an upgrade of the Chemelil substation.Construction of a 220/132 kV substation at Kibos is also underway.
“These projects will phase out the frequent powers rationing in the region occasioned by overstretched facilities and aged lines. It will then trickle down to rapid stimulation of the economy,” said Mr. Obiero.
A week earlier, Kenya Power had announced an 8% drop in power bills for consumers after citing a drop in the fuel levy, this comes as an added advantage to the residents who will not only enjoy uninterrupted power supply but will also pay less for their electricity.
Also Read:Kenya Power bills to reduce by 8% in July
Underground cabling
According to Kenya Power, at least 72% of the Kenyan population is connected to the national power grid and that in March, Kenya had installed a capacity of 2340 Mega Watts of power.
The power distributor has also embarked on an underground cabling system upon completion, will see 16km of 220kV electricity transmission cable and 31km of 66kV distribution power lines.
