The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) has urged residents with structures built along the Sondu–Ndhiwa power transmission corridor to vacate and remove them ahead of the planned energisation of the line next week.
KETRACO cited safety concerns and the urgent need to stabilise the power supply in the region.
Speaking in Homa Bay, KETRACO Engineer Justine Muna said the Sondu–Ndhiwa transmission project, which began in July last year, has been completed through close cooperation between the company and local residents.
He, however, noted that encroachment along the power line has delayed its full commissioning.
“We appreciate the good cooperation we have received from the people of Homa Bay during the implementation of this project. However, we are currently facing a challenge where some structures have been erected directly under the transmission line, which has delayed energisation,” Muna said.
He explained that the line carries 132,000 volts, far higher than the 240 volts used in households, and therefore requires strict electrical clearances.
Any structures under the line pose a serious risk of electrocution and could also cause frequent power interruptions due to safety shutdowns.
Muna said KETRACO has issued notices requiring affected residents to remove the structures within 14 days, adding that the line is scheduled to be energised next week, and so the structures needed to be cleared beforehand.
He stressed that all structures that existed during the initial census were compensated, and those built afterward were illegal and must be demolished for safety reasons.
“Our appeal is for those who put up structures after compensation to move voluntarily. This project was developed to support the community, promote business, and enhance prosperity in the region,” he said.
Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi echoed the call, saying the energisation of the Sondu–Ndhiwa line is critical to meeting the growing power demand in the county and neighbouring regions.
“Homa Bay is growing very fast, with increased interest from investors, especially in the blue economy and fish industry along the lake region. The current power load cannot sustain this growth, which is why it is urgent to energise this line,” Mwiwawi said.
He revealed that authorities have identified seven high-risk structures built directly under the transmission line, describing them as extremely dangerous if the line is energised.
He said the owners have already been notified and given a deadline to remove them before the scheduled energisation date, Thursday, January 29.
“We are asking residents to remove these structures voluntarily. This is not a new directive; communication was done early enough, and some of these people were compensated long ago,” Mwiwawi said.
The CC added that other structures built close to, but not directly under, the line have also been flagged and their owners advised to relocate for safety reasons. Unoccupied structures along the corridor will be demolished with the help of local administrators.
Mwiwawi noted that once the line is energised, Homa Bay County and several neighbouring counties will benefit from improved power stability, reduced blackouts, and increased capacity to attract investors.
“This is the time for us to work together. Reliable electricity is key to economic growth, and once this line is energised, power shortages and blackouts will significantly reduce,” he said.
Both KETRACO and county officials appealed to residents for cooperation, emphasising that the project is meant to benefit the community and support long-term development in Homa Bay County and the wider region.
By Sitna Omar
