Namanga Power Supply Gets Major Upgrade With New 132/33kV Substation [Photos]

Namanga and the wider border region have received a major boost to electricity supply following the commissioning of the new 132/33kV Namanga Substation.

In a statement on Wednesday, September 16, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo said the substation, commissioned by President William Ruto in September 2026, is expected to strengthen electricity supply and improve reliability for homes, businesses and industries in Namanga and surrounding areas.

"Strengthening the electricity network to the border enhances power quality and reliability for businesses and industries across Southern Kenya, while providing a stronger foundation for cross-border trade and investment," he wrote.

According to Omollo, the project was implemented by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO) and forms a key component of the 132kV Machakos-Konza-Isinya-Namanga transmission corridor.

He said the fully operational facility serves as the southern terminal of the transmission corridor, connecting Namanga to the wider national electricity transmission network.

"Implemented by Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), the fully operational substation forms the southern terminal of the 132kV Machakos-Konza-Isinya-Namanga transmission corridor," he added.

The new substation is connected to Isinya through a 94-kilometre transmission link, which delivers bulk electricity at 132kV before the power is stepped down to 33kV for distribution to consumers.

The infrastructure also includes new feeders designed to reduce pressure on existing electricity lines and address the blackouts that had been associated with the former 33kV network.

Omollo said the new transmission infrastructure would improve the delivery of electricity to the border region while supporting the reliability of the local distribution network.

"Its 94-kilometre link from Isinya delivers bulk power at 132kV, stepping it down to 33kV for distribution while adding new feeders that ease pressure on existing lines and help eliminate the blackouts associated with the former 33kV network," he further said.

Beyond improving reliability, the Namanga project is also expected to support the evacuation of renewable energy generated from the Olkaria and Kipeto power projects to the border region.

The improved electricity supply is already supporting key facilities in Namanga, including the Namanga ESP Modern Market and the One-Stop Border Post.

This comes days after the Ministry of Interior issued an update on the ongoing construction of the Nakuru County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Njoro Sub-County.

In a statement on Friday, September 11, Omollo said major structural works at the facility are nearing completion; the industrial park is expected to create more than 4,000 jobs once operational. 

"Jointly implemented by the National and County Governments, the park advances the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by expanding agro-processing, creating jobs and reducing post-harvest losses. 

"With major structural works nearing completion, it is expected to support more than 4,000 jobs once operational," read the statement in part. 

Omollo mentioned that the facility will serve as a one-stop hub for the aggregation, storage, processing and value addition of agricultural products.

The industrial park’s infrastructure includes eight warehouses, administrative and utility facilities, cold-storage facilities, aggregation units and modern processing lines.

Further, the Interior PS said the park will support local development by creating livelihoods and supporting orderly and secure commercial activity. 

"Through the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, such investments complement efforts to foster safe and stable communities where enterprise, employment and economic growth can thrive," he added.