Ruto Commissions Power Transmission Projects in Kajiado, Machakos and Makueni

President William Ruto has commissioned two major electricity transmission projects expected to strengthen Kenya’s power network and support economic activity across Kajiado, Makueni and Machakos counties.

The projects include the 132kV Sultan Hamud–Loitoktok Transmission Line and the 132kV Machakos–Konza–Isinya–Namanga Transmission Infrastructure Development Project.

The commissioning took place on Thursday at the Loitoktok Substation, marking a major step in efforts to expand transmission capacity and improve electricity reliability in the region.

Sultan Hamud–Loitoktok Line

The 132kV Sultan Hamud–Loitoktok transmission line is expected to strengthen electricity supply to Kajiado South and parts of Makueni County.

According to the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), the 107-kilometre line establishes a stronger transmission link between Sultan Hamud in Makueni County and Loitoktok in Kajiado County.

The infrastructure is expected to increase power transfer capacity and improve the reliability of electricity supplied to households and businesses in the area.

The project is also expected to support economic activities around Amboseli National Park, where reliable electricity is considered important for tourism-related businesses and surrounding communities.

Machakos–Konza–Isinya–Namanga Project

The second project covers the Machakos–Konza–Isinya–Namanga corridor and is designed to strengthen electricity connectivity across Machakos, Konza, Kajiado and Namanga.

The project comprises a 109-kilometre high-voltage transmission corridor, supported by 132/33kV substations at Machakos, Konza, Kajiado (Isinya) and Namanga.

KETRACO said sections of the transmission infrastructure have been progressively brought into service.

The 15-kilometre Machakos–Konza section was energised in October 2016, while the 94-kilometre Isinya–Namanga section was energised in February 2024.

The completed infrastructure is expected to provide additional electricity capacity for growing industrial, commercial and residential demand along the corridor.

Ruto Links Power Investment to Economic Growth

Speaking during the commissioning, President Ruto said investment in electricity infrastructure was critical to unlocking economic opportunities and improving livelihoods.

“We are investing in critical electricity infrastructure to unlock economic opportunities, support businesses and improve livelihoods,” Ruto said.

He added that the Sultan Hamud–Loitoktok project would increase power transfer capacity, improve electricity access in Kajiado South and support tourism around Amboseli National Park.

Ruto also described the Isinya–Namanga project as important to attracting investment, promoting industrialisation and advancing the government’s development agenda.

Government Highlights Rising Energy Demand

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said Kenya was experiencing rising demand for electricity from households, businesses and the wider economy.

He said the Sultan Hamud–Loitoktok line and associated substations form part of the government’s broader electricity infrastructure development programme.

“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, while advancing the objectives of BETA,” Wandayi said.

Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira described the Isinya–Namanga transmission line as strategically important to the development of one of Kenya’s key economic corridors.

He said the project would strengthen electricity supply to major economic load centres while supporting industrial and commercial development along the Machakos–Kajiado–Namanga corridor.

Namanga Link Strengthens Regional Trade Infrastructure

KETRACO Acting Managing Director Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias said the projects would strengthen the capacity of the national electricity grid to support economic activity.

Kibias also highlighted the regional importance of the Isinya–Namanga infrastructure, noting that Namanga serves as an important cross-border gateway between Kenya and Tanzania.

“Strengthening the electricity network up to the border enhances power quality and reliability for businesses, industries and communities across Southern Kenya, while strengthening the infrastructure that supports cross-border economic activity,” Kibias said.

The new transmission infrastructure is expected to improve the resilience of the national grid while creating additional capacity for areas experiencing growing demand.

The projects form part of Kenya’s broader efforts to expand electricity transmission infrastructure and ensure that new industrial, commercial, residential and tourism developments have access to reliable power.