The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco) has announced the successful energisation of the 132kV Kitui-Wote transmission line project, marking a major step forward in improving power reliability in Makueni, Kitui and Garissa counties.
The line was energised on Friday at 1100 hours, opening a new chapter in grid stability across the Eastern region.
The new link is expected to significantly strengthen the network by providing dual supply paths into the region and improving overall grid resilience.
With the line now live, up to 20MW is currently flowing from Kitui to Wote and a further 18MW from Wote towards Sultan Hamud, easing pressure on existing infrastructure while enhancing regional load distribution.
The project introduces two supply sources, one from Wote and another from Kindaruma, a configuration that supports the achievement of what engineers refer to as the N-1 contingency.
This is a technical reliability standard that allows the power system to continue operating seamlessly even if a major component fails.
An N-1 contingency means that if a transmission line, transformer or generator experiences an outage, customers do not experience supply interruptions because power is automatically rerouted through an alternative pathway.
In the case of the new line, Kindaruma will act as a backup should Wote lose supply, meaning the region remains served at all times.
“This project is very important as it will help us achieve and improve the N-1 contingency criterion that ensures supply stability at all times. For instance, if power from Wote is lost, we can still get supply from Kindaruma,” Ketraco’s Eastern Regional Engineer Shem Konga said in a past event, underscoring the strategic value of the development.
The energised link also relieves the 132kV Kindaruma-Mwingi transmission line, which has been a critical artery for Garissa and surrounding areas.
With the new configuration, Garissa is no longer solely dependent on Kindaruma for supply, reducing operational risk and supporting the region’s rising demand.
Beyond enhancing resilience, the project aligns with Ketraco’s national strategy to expand the transmission network and connect all 47 counties to the national grid by 2030.
To achieve this, the state corporation is building dual lines in some corridors to ensure alternative flow paths and limit disruption during maintenance or unexpected outages.
Ketraco’s 20-year master plan envisions an additional 8,000km of transmission lines and nearly 15,000MVA of transformation capacity, reflecting Kenya’s accelerating investment in modernising its power infrastructure as the country strives for universal access and a more robust support system for industry, agriculture and commerce.
With the Kitui-Wote line now energised, residents and businesses across Ukambani and Garissa stand to benefit from improved power quality and reliability, a development seen as timely for a region experiencing rapid growth.
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