Sh1.2 Billion Kitui–Wote Power Line Set to Improve Electricity Supply.

President William Ruto and Ketraco Managing Director during the commissioning of the project

Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) Managing Director Tom Imbo has said that a 66-kilometre and 132-kilovolt Kitui–Wote electricity transmission is now set to improve power supply in the lower south eastern region.

The transmission line and that was commissioned on Monday by president William Ruto, connects Kitui and Wote substations hence shall be providing an alternative route for electricity supply and reduce the risk of power interruptions across the Eastern region at large.

Significantly also, the new power transmission line has improved network configuration providing Kitui and Wote substations with two 132kV supply in-feeds thus enhancing the resilience and security of electricity supply.

Previously, Wote relied on the 132kV Wote–Sultan Hamud line. The new connection links the two sections and allows either substation to receive electricity through an alternative route.

The Sh1.2 Billion Kitui–Wote Power Line project has increased transmission capacity, improved operational flexibility and created room to accommodate future electricity demand and new connections in Kitui and Makueni counties.

According to KETRACO managing director Tom Imbo, the interconnected network has room for sections of the transmission system to undergo planned maintenance while electricity continues flowing through alternative routes.

This reduces the risk of interruptions and the need for load shedding during maintenance.

The commissioned Kitui-Wote power transmission line

“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 the KETRACO managing director.

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

The 66-kilometre section was energised on January 16, 2026, completing the corridor. The earlier 44.45-kilometre Mwingi–Kitui section and the 65-kilometre Sultan Hamud–Wote section had also been completed and energised.

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

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

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