Southern Kenya Gets 109km Power Corridor

Kenya has commissioned a 109-kilometre electricity transmission line serving Machakos, Konza, Isinya and Namanga, giving southern Kenya extra grid capacity for businesses, industries and the Namanga border crossing with Tanzania.

President William Ruto commissioned the 132kV line on Sept. 3, with the project connecting the four areas through 132/33kV substations. The additional capacity is intended to meet rising electricity demand in the region.

The project is significant for areas along the Namanga economic corridor and Konza Technopolis, where demand for electricity is rising. It also provides additional transmission capacity for businesses and industries in Machakos, Konza, Kajiado and Namanga.

Corridor gets extra electricity capacity

The transmission project brings together sections that were completed and energised at different times.

The 15-kilometre Machakos-Konza section was energised in October 2016. The 94-kilometre Isinya-Namanga section was commissioned in February 2024.

Together, the sections provide the 109-kilometre connection commissioned by Ruto.

The line runs through an area with economic activity extending from Machakos and Konza to Isinya and Namanga. Its connection to the national grid gives these locations additional transmission capacity.

Konza Technopolis is among the places expected to benefit from the extra capacity. The project also covers the Namanga economic corridor, which connects southern Kenya to the border area with Tanzania.

The Namanga border crossing is another important point covered by the project. The government expects the additional electricity supply capacity to improve power availability for businesses and industries operating in the area.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said electricity infrastructure would continue to receive government investment as part of support for businesses and industries.

"Reliable electricity is at the heart of this agenda, and through projects such as the Isinya-Namanga transmission line, we are creating the foundation for businesses and industries to grow," Wandayi said.

The project was implemented by Kenya Electricity Transmission Company, known as KETRACO, in partnership with India's Shyama Power Limited.

Funding came from the Government of Kenya and India's Export-Import Bank.

The transmission line operates at 132kV and connects with 132/33kV substations. These substations are part of the infrastructure connecting the areas to the electricity network.

The project gives the southern part of Kenya more capacity as electricity demand rises. This is particularly relevant to Konza Technopolis and the Namanga economic corridor, where the government expects electricity needs to increase.