President William Ruto has commissioned the 132kV Machakos–Konza–Isinya–Namanga transmission project, a major electricity infrastructure investment expected to strengthen power supply and support economic growth across parts of Machakos and Kajiado counties.
Implemented by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), the project is designed to reinforce the national power grid along the Machakos–Konza–Kajiado–Namanga economic corridor, which has experienced growing industrial, commercial and residential development.
The 109-kilometre high-voltage transmission corridor is supported by 132/33kV substations in Machakos, Konza, Isinya in Kajiado County and Namanga.
The project was completed in phases, with the 15-kilometre Machakos–Konza section energised in October 2016. The 94-kilometre Isinya–Namanga section was subsequently connected to the national grid in February 2024.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, President Ruto said his administration would continue supporting government agencies and development partners to ensure infrastructure projects are completed efficiently and deliver tangible benefits to Kenyans.
The President said reliable and affordable electricity remains critical to Kenya’s industrialisation agenda, noting that improved power infrastructure would help attract investment, expand businesses and create an enabling environment for economic growth.
The transmission project is expected to support major developments along the corridor, including Konza Technopolis and the Standard Gauge Railway, while improving electricity supply to key economic centres.
The upgraded network is also expected to provide additional capacity for energy-intensive industries, including cement manufacturers, ceramic and tile factories and industrial parks.
Businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector, including hotels, safari lodges and eco-tourism facilities, are similarly expected to benefit from improved power reliability.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the investment demonstrates the government’s commitment to developing infrastructure capable of unlocking investment and expanding productive capacity.
Wandayi said dependable electricity is essential to the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly for industries and businesses that require stable power supplies to operate and expand.
Principal Secretary for Energy Alex Wachira described the Isinya–Namanga transmission line as a strategic addition to Kenya’s national grid, saying it would strengthen electricity supply to important economic centres while creating room for further industrial and commercial development.
The infrastructure also carries regional significance, with Namanga serving as a major cross-border gateway between Kenya and Tanzania.
KETRACO Acting Managing Director Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias said extending the grid to Namanga would improve power quality and reliability for communities and businesses in southern Kenya while supporting cross-border trade and regional economic integration.
He said the commissioning demonstrates KETRACO’s commitment to developing a resilient transmission network capable of responding to Kenya’s growing electricity demand.
The project was implemented by KETRACO in partnership with India’s Shyama Power Limited, with technical supervision from Power Grid India and KETRACO engineers.
Financing was provided through the Export-Import Bank of India’s Line of Credit under a USD61.60 million facility signed in December 2010, alongside funding from the Government of Kenya.
The commissioning marks another step in strengthening Kenya’s electricity transmission network, with the improved capacity expected to support industries, businesses and communities while opening up new opportunities along one of the country’s key economic corridors.
