Homa bay: Homa Bay County Commissioner Ronald Mwiwawi has issued a notice to residents who have erected structures along the Sondu-Ndhiwa high-voltage power lines, instructing them to remove these structures before Thursday this week.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) plans to energize the line this week to ensure a steady power supply to the region.
The presence of structures along the power line between Sondu Miriu and Ndhiwa has delayed the activation of the Ndhiwa substation. Commissioner Mwiwawi highlighted that the construction of the line, which transmits electricity from the Sondu-Miriu hydropower station to the broader lake region, is now complete. However, the powering of the line has been hindered by the existence of houses near or under the high-voltage lines, despite residents having been compensated.
The line is designed to transport electricity from the Sondu Miriu hydropower plant to a substation at Ongeng in Kanyamwa Kologi, with an additional line extending to the Awendo substation. Eng. Justine Muna, a Senior Manager overseeing project management and construction at KETRACO, stated that notice had been issued for residents living near the line to vacate. He explained that the line requires a minimum electrical clearance to prevent arc flash, warning that proximity to the line could result in electrocution and instability in the power supply across a vast area.
Eng. Muna urged those residing close to the line to relocate for their safety, emphasizing the line’s role in stabilizing power supply in South Nyanza. He noted that public cooperation was generally good during the line’s construction, with only a few defiant individuals. The Manager reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a reliable power supply to promote economic growth and investments.
