A New Era of Clean Energy as the Kitui Wote Line Goes Live, Powering Growth and Inclusion

By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter

Kenya, 26 January 2026 - In a landmark step for Kenya’s energy transition, the 132 kV Kitui‑Wote Transmission Line has been energised, marking a major expansion of the country’s clean energy grid and strengthening power delivery across Eastern Kenya.

The energisation of this 65‑kilometre section crowns the Mwingi‑Kitui‑Wote‑Sultan Hamud corridor, implemented under the Kenya Power Transmission System Improvement Project (KPTSIP).

With the Kitui‑Wote link now complete, the corridor becomes fully operational, providing bi-directional electricity flow that improves system reliability and resilience.

This development was unveiled on International Day of Clean Energy, 26 January, a global milestone that underscores the shift away from fossil fuels and toward reliable, low-carbon power as part of efforts to meet SDG 7 (affordable, clean energy) and SDG 13 (climate action).

Kenya already generates more than 90 percent of its electricity from clean sources, including geothermal, hydro, wind, and solar, positioning it among Africa’s leaders in renewable energy deployment.

However, generation alone is not enough. Clean energy must be transmitted to demand centres, homes, businesses, hospitals, schools, and farms, to transform economic and social outcomes. This is where transmission infrastructure becomes vital.

The Kitui‑Wote transmission line interconnects segments of Kenya’s electricity grid that were previously isolated, creating a more integrated and reliable power network.

This linkage allows electricity to flow seamlessly from multiple generation sources to areas that previously faced supply constraints.

The line channels power from major hubs, including the Garissa Solar Plant and hydropower facilities in Mwingi and Kindaruma, providing clean, renewable energy to the region.

It also integrates geothermal energy from Olkaria, one of Kenya’s largest and most stable baseload power sources.

In addition, the line facilitates the distribution of electricity from mixed hydropower and geothermal sources accessible via Sultan Hamud, enhancing grid stability and ensuring that power can reach households, businesses, and industrial users more efficiently.

For counties like Kitui and Makueni, where agriculture and small enterprises are economic mainstays, reliable power is transformative.

Agriculture and value addition: Stable electricity enables farmers to power irrigation, cold storage and processing facilities, cutting post‑harvest losses and boosting incomes. Honey producers, for example, can scale processing, packaging and branding.

Dairy and food processing: Reliable cooling and milk‑chilling infrastructure help producers increase output quality and access higher‑value markets.

More from Kenya

Ethiopia Signals Major Airpower Leap as PM Abiy Targets Fifth-Generation Air Force By 2030

Corridors and Runways: How Kenya and Ethiopia Are Re-Engineering Regional Power

Health and education: Clinics and hospitals can run diagnostics, refrigeration and emergency services without interruption, while schools and ICT hubs can support digital learning.

Small businesses: Artisans, traders and service providers benefit from extended operating hours, safer storage and expanded revenue opportunities.

Today, Kitui consumes about 6 MW of electricity, and Wote about 5 MW; the new line initially carries 20 MW, with a technical capacity up to 80 MW, positioning the region for decades of growth.

Transmission projects like Kitui‑Wote are more than just engineering achievements; they serve as economic enablers, connecting Kenya’s clean energy potential with tangible real-world outcomes.

By improving the reliability and reach of electricity, these projects lay the foundation for sustainable growth across multiple sectors.

Reliable electricity is critical for attracting industrial investment, enabling factories and production facilities to operate efficiently and encouraging both local and foreign businesses to expand operations in previously underpowered regions.

It also plays a key role in accelerating job creation, as new enterprises and expanded industrial activities generate employment opportunities across urban and rural areas.

Furthermore, improved power access supports entrepreneurship in rural economies, allowing small businesses, farms, and service providers to scale operations, adopt technology, and access wider markets.

By strengthening local markets, these projects also help reduce urban migration, offering residents viable economic opportunities at home and easing pressure on cities.

These advances build on broader national and international efforts, including the African Development Bank’s recent $16.5 million loan for geothermal expansion in the Menengai field, to expand baseload renewable capacity and deepen Kenya’s clean energy transition.

The energisation of the 132 kV Kitui‑Wote Transmission Line marks a significant leap in Kenya’s clean energy journey, improving grid reliability, widening access and unlocking socio‑economic potential in rural and peri‑urban areas.

It demonstrates that sustainable growth and climate goals converge where clean generation meets robust transmission infrastructure, bringing power from sources to people and powering a more equitable, resilient future.