The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

New Isinya substation to end power outages in Nairobi and Mombasa

Rift Valley

By Peterson Githaiga | Aug 14, 2024

**From left: KETRACO GM Eng. Kibias, former Energy CS Davis Chirchir, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, and Mohamed Liban, PS for Petroleum, at the KETRACO Isinya substation handover.** [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

It is a relief to electricity consumers in Nairobi and Mombasa counties who have over the years been inconvenienced by frequent power disruptions following the handing over of the KETRACO Isinya Substation in Kajiado County.

The 220/400kV substation located in Kajiado County is the second biggest substation after Suswa and is connected to the Olkaria geothermal fields through the Suswa substation.

Speaking during the handing over of the facility, newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Energy Opiyo Wandayi said the substation has a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, with 400 megawatts already connected.

"Today being my first day in office since my appointment, I’m happy to announce a great achievement in the electricity sector. We are aware that our Nairobi and Mombasa electricity consumers have been enduring blackouts and power disruptions, and this will not happen again," said Wandayi.

Keep Reading business

Wandayi said that despite the challenges the sector is facing, he remains optimistic about the projected expansion of Kenya’s transmission infrastructure.

“We appreciate the challenges that could still be there. There has been slow progress with the speed of implementation of these projects. The biggest challenge we are facing is financing,” added the CS.

He appealed to all stakeholders to work together to achieve their goals of reducing costs to the consumer.

"If we work together, we will be able to enhance our velocity to realise the potential of the country in terms of energy, transmission and eventually reduce costs to the consumer in the shortest time possible," said the CS.

The CS noted this Isinya substation was his first visit since his appointment and assured him that he would visit other KETRACO substations to fully appreciate the investments that have gone into such projects.

CS Wandayi was accompanied by former Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir (now Roads and Transport CS), Eng. Kibias and Mr Mohamed Liban, PS State Department for Petroleum.