Kenya Power committed to partner with the county government to set up a modern street lighting system in Kitale town.
Kenya Power has started replacing wooden poles with concrete pillars in Kitale to help guarantee electricity supply. The Sh120 million upgrade will also see the power grid expanded to handle more customers.
“This maintenance exercise is geared towards ensuring there is quality power supply within Kitale town and its environs,” said Kenya Power MD Ben Chumo of the exercise that left the town without power for two days.
“Having only 38,928 clients with a monthly billing of Sh66 million does not match Kitale’s growth.”
Trans Nzoia governor Patrick Khaemba challenged the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) to connect more residents to the grid. Kenya Power committed to partner with the county government to set up a modern street lighting system in Kitale town.
Kitale suffers from frequent blackouts due to supply shortfalls and an ageing grid, forcing a number of businesses to have stand-by generators.
Mr Chumo challenged manufacturers to pass the benefit of cheaper power to consumers by lowering the cost of essential goods with the commissioning of the Olkaria geothermal plant in Naivasha which is expected to cut electricity bills by 30 per cent.
