The Kenyan government has allocated Sh612.7 million to connect Marsabit, Kenya’s second-largest county, to the national power grid for the first time. This initiative is part of a larger plan by the National Treasury, with further allocations set to reach Sh3.97 billion by the financial year 2025/26.
Marsabit, home to the 310 megawatt Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP) farm, will benefit significantly from this 162-kilometre Loiyangalani – Marsabit transmission line. This line will evacuate power from the wind farm to Marsabit town, providing residents with access to reliable electricity for the first time.
According to John Mativo, Managing Director of Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco), this project will be a game changer for Marsabit, lowering power costs in the long-term and reducing dependency on fuel-powered stations that contribute to high electricity bills.
The initiative also includes a 220kV line from Marsabit to Isiolo, covering a distance of 253 kilometres, with a total budget of Sh1.5 billion by 2025/26. These projects will involve the construction of transmission substations in Marsabit and Isiolo, further boosting the region’s power infrastructure.
Moreover, these transmission lines pass through areas with high potential for solar and wind power generation, opening up opportunities for new power plants to connect to the national grid and enhance energy supply reliability.
This initiative underscores Kenya’s commitment to expanding access to electricity across the country, supporting economic growth, and improving livelihoods in underserved regions like Marsabit.
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