KETRACO Powers New 86km Transmission Line Linking Nanyuki and Rumuruti

The Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) has energized the 86.4-kilometre, 132kV Nanyuki-Rumuruti Transmission Line, strengthening electricity supply and transmission capacity in Laikipia County and the wider Mount Kenya region.

In a press release dated October 2, KETRACO said the line was energized at 4:04pm, with the 132kV and 33kV voltages confirmed stable, marking the completion of the transmission connection between Nanyuki and Rumuruti.

The new transmission link addresses a long-standing supply constraint in Rumuruti, which has traditionally relied on a long 33kV distribution line from Lanet.

According to KETRACO, the project will shorten the distribution network serving Rumuruti by approximately 50 percent, helping reduce technical losses while improving the quality, efficiency and reliability of electricity supply.

Speaking during the energization, KETRACO Managing Director Tom Imbo said the project demonstrates the company’s role in providing infrastructure that supports investment and economic activity.

“We are calling on small and medium-sized enterprises, industries and investors to come and invest in this region with greater confidence, because we are strengthening the power supply they need to grow,” said Imbo.

KETRACO Boosts Power Supply in Laikipia

Beyond improving reliability, the new infrastructure provides additional transmission capacity to support economic activities in the region, including agro-processing, irrigation, flower farming, manufacturing, hospitality and other enterprises.

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Imbo added that the connection would provide Laikipia, Nyahururu and the wider Mount Kenya region with a more reliable and resilient electricity supply to support farmers, businesses and industries to expand, create jobs and unlock new opportunities.

The 86.4-kilometre project comprises a 132kV single-circuit transmission line constructed on double-circuit towers, with approximately 16.8 kilometres of underground cable.

KETRACO adopted the underground section after the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) raised operational and security concerns in the vicinity of Laikipia Airbase.

The company designed and approved the section in accordance with Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) requirements.

Nanyuki-Rumuruti Line Expands Grid Capacity

Meanwhile, the energization follows shortly after KETRACO energized the 132kV Nanyuki-Isiolo Transmission Line, further strengthening the transmission network serving Nanyuki, Isiolo, Meru, Laikipia and the wider Upper Eastern region.

The project received joint financing from the Government of Kenya, the African Development Bank and Exim Bank of India.

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For the underground section, Dongfang Electric International Corporation and Qingdao Hanhe Cable Company Limited carried out the works at a contract sum of USD 14.3075 million.

Jyoti Structures Limited initiated the overhead transmission line works, while China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd. (CAMCE) completed them at a contract sum of USD 4.580425 million.

Overall, KETRACO said the Nanyuki-Rumuruti line forms part of its ongoing investment in expanding and strengthening Kenya’s high-voltage transmission network to meet growing electricity demand, improve supply resilience and facilitate socio-economic development.

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Photo of KETRACO engineers inspecting electrical substation equipment during the energization of the 86.4 km 132kV Nanyuki-Rumuruti Transmission Line. PHOTO/ KETRACO