Kajiado: President William Ruto has commissioned the 132kV Machakos-Konza-Isinya-Namanga transmission project, a major electricity infrastructural development expected to boost industrial, commercial, and residential development along the Machakos-Kajiado-Namanga economic corridor. The project, implemented by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), strengthens the national power grid by linking key economic centres in Machakos, Konza, Kajiado, and Namanga, while providing additional capacity for growing industries and businesses in southern Kenya.
According to Kenya News Agency, President Ruto, speaking during the commissioning in Kajiado, emphasized his Administration’s commitment to supporting the completion and implementation of development projects to ensure they deliver tangible benefits to Kenyans. He highlighted the significance of the Isinya-Namanga transmission project as a key infrastructural investment that will bolster the electricity network and support economic growth. Stable, reliable, and affordable electricity remains a priority for the Government as it is essential for attracting investment, supporting industrialization, and delivering the national development agenda.
The 109-kilometre high-voltage transmission corridor is supported by 132/33kV substations at Machakos, Konza, Kajiado (Isinya), and Namanga, all of which are operational. The 15-kilometre Machakos-Konza section was energized in October 2016, while the 94-kilometre Isinya-Namanga section was energized in February 2024. This infrastructure is expected to provide reliable power to major economic activities, including Konza Technopolis and SGR operations, while integrating Machakos, Konza, Isinya, Bisil, Kumpa, and the Namanga border post into the high-voltage national grid.
The transmission project will also increase electricity capacity for energy-intensive industries along the Kajiado-Namanga corridor, including cement manufacturers, ceramic and tile factories, and industrial parks. Hotels, safari lodges, commercial establishments, and eco-tourism ventures are also expected to benefit from improved power reliability.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, Opiyo Wandayi, stated that reliable electricity is critical to the Government’s efforts to attract investment, expand productive capacity, and promote regional economic integration. Principal Secretary for Energy, Alex Wachira, described the Isinya-Namanga line as a strategic addition to Kenya’s transmission network, supporting economic growth along one of the country’s key corridors.
KETRACO Acting Managing Director, Eng. Kipkemoi Kibias, noted that the project would strengthen the national grid’s capacity to serve businesses and communities while enhancing Kenya’s cross-border economic links with Tanzania. Namanga, as a critical cross-border gateway between Kenya and Tanzania, benefits from strengthened electricity networks that enhance power quality and reliability for businesses, industries, and communities across Southern Kenya. This infrastructure supports cross-border economic activity.
The project was implemented by KETRACO in partnership with India-based Shyama Power Limited and co-financed by the Government of Kenya and the Export-Import Bank of India (Exim Bank). It was financed through an Exim Bank of India Line of Credit, with a USD61.60 million facility signed in December 2010, alongside Government of Kenya financing. Supervision of the implementation was conducted by Power Grid India and KETRACO engineers.
