Electricity firm takes power to lake island

More than 2,000 residents of Mfangano Island in Lake Victoria will soon light up their homes when a Sh110 million electrification plan kicks off.

Already, 18 kilometres of high voltage and 13 kilometres of low voltage lines have been constructed and a total of 14 transformers will be installed.

The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) Western regional manager, Mr Jared Othieno said that the project will involve construction of a full power station because the Island cannot be joined to the existing power grid.

“This project will be operated in the form of an isolated power station because it is not connected to the main power grid,” said Mr Othieno.

Mr Othieno also said that KPLC was in consultation with Safaricom and Zain mobile phone service providers to find ways in which electricity customers will pay their bills using the money transfer systems operated by the two firms.

He further said that construction of alternative electricity lines in areas mostly affected with power failures has already started.
“We have started constructing alternative power lines around Sotik and Kericho which will be extending to Kisii,” he said.