President William Ruto has commissioned the 66-kilometre Kitui–Wote 132kV transmission line, a KSh1.2 billion infrastructure project expected to strengthen electricity supply in Kitui, Makueni and neighbouring counties. The project, implemented by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), marks a major milestone in improving power reliability across the Eastern region.
The new transmission link connects Kitui and Wote substations, creating an alternative route for electricity supply and reducing the risk of widespread power interruptions. Previously, Kitui relied on the Mwingi–Kitui transmission line, while Wote received power through the Wote–Sultan Hamud line. With the new connection, both substations now have two 132kV supply routes, improving network resilience and ensuring greater continuity of electricity supply.
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Speaking during the commissioning at Kitui Substation on Monday, President Ruto said reliable electricity infrastructure was essential to accelerating industrialisation, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities. He noted that the investment supports the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by strengthening the infrastructure needed for enterprise growth, value addition and improved service delivery across the region.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said improved electricity reliability would directly benefit traders, small businesses, mechanics and Jua Kali artisans by enabling them to operate more efficiently. He also highlighted the potential to boost agricultural value addition, particularly in Kitui’s honey industry, where reliable power could support processing, branding and marketing of honey from Mwingi and other parts of the county.
KETRACO Managing Director CPA Tom Imbo said the interconnected transmission network would increase power transmission capacity, improve operational flexibility and accommodate future electricity demand. He explained that engineers could undertake planned maintenance on sections of the network while electricity continued flowing through alternative routes, reducing the likelihood of outages and load shedding.
The project forms part of the wider 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. Beyond Kitui and Makueni, the interconnected network strengthens electricity supply to Mwingi and Garissa by providing alternative transmission routes, a benefit demonstrated during recent works at Kindaruma when Garissa continued receiving power through the alternative route.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by KETRACO Board Chairman Capt. Mohamed Abdi, members of the company’s board, energy sector executives, Members of Parliament and other local leaders. Although the Kitui–Wote section was energised on January 16, 2026, its commissioning highlights the strategic importance of a stronger national grid in supporting businesses, attracting investment and unlocking economic growth across Eastern Kenya.
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