Kenya power boosts electricity reliability in Machakos and KituiKenya Power has completed a major infrastructure project aimed at improving the reliability of electricity supply in Machakos and Kitui counties.
The utility company announced on Monday, October 13, 2025, that it has finalized the construction of an interconnector between the two counties at a cost of 22 million.
The new inter-connector is expected to stabilize electricity supply around South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU) and in the surrounding areas of Kwavonza and Katangini in Machakos County.
It will also provide an alternative power source for customers in parts of Machakos, reducing interruptions caused by line failures.
“This project will enhance service delivery and customer experience by improving the quality of power supply.
Previously, SEKU University and adjacent customers were served by the Masii power line that runs from Katoloni in Machakos County, which often experienced outages due to its expansiveness,” said John Wanyoike, Kenya Power’s Kitui County Business Manager.
In addition to the inter-connector, the company has announced plans to build a new substation at Mbitini in Kitui County to expand access to electricity and ease pressure on the existing network.
The Mbitini Substation will help minimize power losses and address frequent outages in areas such as Zombe, Ikanga, Voo, and Ikutha.
Over the past two years, Kenya Power has invested heavily in strengthening its power infrastructure in Kitui County.
The company has upgraded the Kitui Substation, doubling its capacity from 5MVA to 10MVA, and constructed a dedicated power line to the substation to improve supply reliability.
“The demand for electricity has been soaring recently, mainly from upcoming light industries and other customers that we have connected to the grid. To meet this demand, we have increased the capacity at the Kitui Substation and dedicated a 33kV line to the substation, with no other connections on it,” said Mr. Wanyoike.
He added that the upgrades have significantly reduced power outages that were common before the improvements.
Currently, more than 94,000 households in Kitui County are connected to the national electricity grid. Under Phase IV of the ongoing Last Mile Connectivity Project, Kenya Power is targeting to connect an additional 7,500 households, further expanding access to electricity in the region.
To improve the durability and resilience of its infrastructure, the company has also replaced about 1,200 wooden poles that were damaged by termites with concrete poles. Kenya Power invested close to 140 million in this replacement program during the last financial year.
The utility says these projects reflect its continued commitment to providing reliable and sustainable electricity supply across the country while supporting economic growth and development at the county level.
