Kitui County is set to benefit from increased electricity supply following the completion and inspection of the 132-kilowatt Kwa Kyenza Sub-Station in Kitui West Constituency, a project aimed at strengthening power supply and also supporting local economic activities across the county.
Speaking during the inspection of the facility, Kipkemoi Kibias, the Acting Managing Director of the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO), said that the substation is strategically designed to transmit 132 kV electricity, a move expected to stabilise power supply, reduce outages and enhance voltage reliability across Kitui County and neighbouring areas.
Kibias noted that the project is a critical component of the 132 kV Kitui–Wote transmission line, which forms part of the Mwingi–Kitui–Wote–Sultan Hamud corridor, a key electricity transmission route intended to provide alternative power supply paths and strengthen grid resilience in Eastern Kenya.
“The clean energy transition must be supported by strong transmission infrastructure. Clean power can only deliver real impact when it reaches homes, farms, hospitals and industries,” said Kibias.
He added that reliable electricity is a foundation for economic growth in Kitui County, bearing the fact that many livelihoods largely depend on agriculture, small-scale enterprises and emerging commercial activities.
The inspection was led by James Opiyo Wandayi, the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, who noted that the government intensifies efforts to strengthen electricity transmission infrastructure in the region.
Wandayi was briefed on the project’s progress and commended the ongoing work, stating that improved power reliability is essential for supporting varying local economic development activities in Kitui and the neighbouring county, Makueni.
The inspection coincided with the International Day of Clean Energy, observed annually on January 26, highlighting Kenya’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy solutions.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that more than 90 percent of Kenya’s electricity is generated from renewable sources, including geothermal, hydro and solar energy, and emphasised that continued investment in transmission infrastructure is necessary to ensure clean energy reaches vast counties such as Kitui.
He said a stable electricity supply will support value addition in agriculture, enhance the growth of small and medium enterprises and improve service delivery in public institutions, including schools and health facilities across the county.
By Rachel Kithome
