President William Ruto has commissioned a Sh1.4 billion electricity transmission project linking Awendo and Masaba in Migori County, which officials say has improved the reliability and capacity of power supply in the region.

The 28km 132kV single-circuit transmission line is part of the project implemented by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) and includes a new substation at Masaba and an extension of the existing substation at Awendo.

The infrastructure is expected to strengthen electricity supply to areas including Migori, Isebania, Ikerege and Kehancha.

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Ruto, speaking during the commissioning on Friday, said the government would continue investing in electricity transmission infrastructure to meet rising demand and improve reliability.

“The Awendo-Masaba transmission project is an important investment in strengthening the country’s electricity network and improving access to reliable power,” Ruto said.

“My government will play an active role in supporting businesses, industries and essential services by strengthening electricity infrastructure, increasing transmission capacity and improving access to reliable power.”

The project commenced in September 2021 under the Kenya Power Transmission Expansion Project programme and was energised on June 6, 2025.

It was financed by Exim Bank of China and the Kenyan government at a contract price of Sh1.4 billion.

KETRACO said the project has increased power transfer capacity and is estimated to have improved power reliability by 25 per cent during its first year of operation.

The new Masaba Substation allows high-voltage power to be delivered closer to consumers, shortening the distribution lines operated by Kenya Power.

Officials said the technical change has reduced the frequency and duration of power interruptions in Isebania, Migori, Ikerege and Kehancha.

KETRACO regional engineer for Western and South Nyanza, Regan Oloka, said the Masaba Substation was energised on June 5, 2025, enabling the company to transmit power from different generation sources through the regional network.

“Masaba Substation is the newest substation in the Western and South Nyanza region and was energised on 5th June 2025,” Oloka said.

He said power could now be wheeled from Sondu Hydropower Plant through Awendo to Masaba, as well as from Olkaria through Kibos, Mamboleo, Sondu and Awendo to Masaba.

Oloka said power availability in the area stood at 99.6 per cent during the 2025/2026 financial year and reached 100 per cent between July and September 2026.

The project also allows the region to access power generated from diversified sources, including hydropower from the Sondu plant and geothermal electricity from the Olkaria complex.

Improved electricity reliability is supporting industrial operations in the region, including Sony Sugar Factory and Getonyanya Sweet Potatoes Factory.

The project is also expected to support essential public services, including healthcare at Migori County Referral Hospital.

At the Isebania One Stop Border Post, the improved supply is supporting customs and border-control operations and cross-border trade between Kenya and Tanzania.

KETRACO project manager for the Masaba Substation, Moses Kerre, said the area previously depended on a long 33kV medium-voltage line from Awendo, which was prone to interruptions.

“Before the Masaba Substation was energised, the area was served by a long 33kV medium-voltage line from Awendo, which was prone to frequent interruptions,” Kerre said.

He said KETRACO had constructed the 28km 132kV high-voltage line from Awendo to Masaba alongside the substation to improve the stability and reliability of supply.

Kerre said KETRACO planned to expand the Masaba Substation by installing an additional transformer of the same capacity to meet future demand.