PRESIDENT RUTO COMMISSIONS SH1.2 BILLION 132KV KITUI–WOTE TRANSMISSION LINE TO ENHANCE POWER SUPPLY RELIABILITY.

By Njoki Karanja 

President William Ruto has commissioned a Sh1.2 billion electricity transmission line linking Kitui and Wote, in a move expected to improve power reliability, support businesses and attract investment across Eastern Kenya.

The 66-kilometre, 132-kilovolt (kV) transmission line, implemented by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), connects the Kitui and Wote substations, providing an alternative route for electricity supply to Kitui, Makueni and neighbouring counties.

The project is expected to reduce power interruptions by allowing electricity to reach either substation through an alternative transmission route when the primary supply line experiences disruptions.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at Kitui Substation on Monday, President Ruto said strengthening the national electricity grid was critical to industrialisation, job creation and economic growth.

“The Kitui–Wote Transmission Line is a strategic investment in Kitui and neighbouring counties, strengthening reliable power supply to drive industrialisation, enterprise growth, job creation, and essential services,” said Ruto.

He added that the project supports the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by expanding infrastructure needed to stimulate economic activity and improve livelihoods.

The transmission line forms part of the 152.62-kilometre Mwingi–Kitui–Wote–Sultan Hamud transmission corridor, implemented under the Kenya Power Transmission System Improvement Project (KPTSIP), with funding from the African Development Bank.

Alternative route to reduce power disruptions

The new link strengthens the electricity network by providing Kitui and Wote substations with two 132kV supply routes, improving the resilience of the regional grid.

Previously, Kitui relied on the Mwingi–Kitui transmission line, while Wote received electricity through the Wote–Sultan Hamud line. The new connection links the two sections, allowing power to be rerouted when one supply path is unavailable.

The improved configuration has already demonstrated its value, with Kitui able to receive electricity through Wote when supply from Mwingi is interrupted.

The network also strengthens electricity supply to Mwingi and Garissa by providing an alternative route through Sultan Hamud, Wote, Kitui and Mwingi.

According to KETRACO, the alternative route proved useful during recent works at Kindaruma, when Garissa continued receiving electricity through the interconnected network, avoiding a supply interruption during the shutdown.

Businesses and farmers expected to benefit

Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said improved electricity reliability would support businesses, small-scale industries and agricultural enterprises across the region.

He noted that reliable power was already helping businesses operate for longer hours while supporting Jua Kali artisans, mechanics and traders.

Wandayi also highlighted opportunities for agricultural value addition, particularly in apiculture, saying improved electricity supply could help businesses process, package and market honey produced in Mwingi and other parts of Kitui County.

The investment is expected to strengthen the region’s capacity to support enterprises that depend on reliable electricity for production, storage and processing.

Network ready for future demand

KETRACO Managing Director CPA Tom Imbo said the completed line had increased transmission capacity, improved operational flexibility and created room to accommodate future electricity demand and new connections in Kitui and Makueni counties.

He said the interconnected network would allow sections of the transmission system to be taken out of service for planned maintenance without necessarily interrupting electricity supply, as power could continue flowing through alternative routes.

“This significantly reduces the risk of supply interruptions and the need for load shedding during maintenance works,” said Imbo.

The Kitui–Wote section was energised on January 16, 2026, completing the wider transmission corridor. The 44.45-kilometre Mwingi–Kitui section and the 65-kilometre Sultan Hamud–Wote section had been completed and energised earlier.


The wider network connects Kindaruma, Mwingi, Kitui, Wote and Sultan Hamud to Konza and Juja, with a link to the Tana hydro-generation stations through the Juja–Rabai transmission line.


The interconnected system allows electricity from different sources, including geothermal, solar and hydropower, to flow through alternative pathways, improving the flexibility and stability of the national grid.


Kitui’s local electricity demand stands at approximately 10 megawatts (MW), equivalent to about 240 megawatt-hours (MWh) daily. However, more than half of the electricity received from Mwingi passes through Kitui towards Wote and Sultan Hamud, where a larger share is consumed.


This makes the transmission corridor important not only for local electricity supply but also for the wider regional power network.


The project was undertaken by China CAMC Engineering Ltd, which was contracted in 2019 to complete the KPTSIP works, under the supervision of KETRACO engineers.


The commissioning was attended by KETRACO Board Chairman Capt. Mohamed Abdi, Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe, members of the company’s board, energy sector executives, Members of Parliament, local leaders and other stakeholders.


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