Govt Moves to Boost Power Reliability in Nyanza, Western Kenya
The Kenyan government has launched a significant initiative to enhance electricity supply in Nyanza and Western Kenya, addressing chronic outages that have long hindered economic growth.
The energization of the Sondu–Ndhiwa–Homa Bay–Awendo 132kV transmission line marks a pivotal step forward.
Key Project Details
This new transmission line, along with its associated substations, began operations recently, with power flowing as of late January 2026.
Led by PS Alex Kamau Wachira of the State Department of Energy and supported by Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), the project eliminates persistent load shedding in the region.
It decongests the overburdened Muhoroni–Chemosit corridor, reducing loads from 68MW to 40MW and stabilizing supply across Nyanza counties like Homa Bay, Ndhiwa, and Awendo.
Immediate Impacts
Outages that disrupted households, SMEs, and industries are now history, enabling a shift toward Kenya’s 24-hour economy vision. Load balancing has lowered overload risks, while Sondu now supplies 27MW directly to Ndhiwa, unlocking suppressed demand and spurring national peak usage.
Local sectors like sugar processing, fish cooling, maize milling, and hospitality stand to benefit immensely from this reliability boost.
This builds on prior investments, such as Kenya Power’s Sh1 billion allocation for Western Kenya infrastructure announced in late 2025, including the Narok-Bomet 132kV link and ongoing lines like Kibos-Miwani-Ahero.
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi has emphasized nationwide grid upgrades, substation enhancements, and even nuclear plans to curb blackouts and lower costs. These moves address historical marginalization, supporting County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) to attract investors.
Economic Opportunities Ahead
Reliable power promises a boom for manufacturing, agriculture, and retail in Nyanza and Western regions, from cotton and milk processing to evening markets.
With multi-agency coordination via National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) under PS Raymond Omollo, the project exemplifies efficient delivery.
As Kenya eyes sustainable growth, this infrastructure corrects supply constraints, fostering equitable development across rural and urban divides.
This development signals the administration’s commitment to energy security, potentially transforming livelihoods in these vital regions. Stay tuned for updates on ripple effects.