Parts of Gatanga Sub County in Murang’a will starting next year get boosted power supply after the completion of a substation at Gatakaini area.
The 7.5MVA substation funded by Kenya Power Company (KPC) will also see more homesteads in Gatura area and some parts of neighbouring Kiambu County get electricity connections.
The Murang’a KPC Manager, Eng. Harrison Kamau has said the Sh.326 million project is at 65 percent completion.
He noted that by December 31, the project funded by Kenya Power Company will be complete and ready for commissioning.
Once completed, Kamau added that the substation will boost power output in the area and ensure stable electricity supply in an area of 40 kilometer radius.
Speaking when he led members of County Development Implementation and Coordination Committee (CDICC) to tour the project, the Manager stated that the substation will increase power capacity to support connections of more than 7, 000 homesteads.
“The substation will ensure stable power supply and support manufacturing companies around the area. Power blackouts will be minimized,” he added.
He further said the company is implementing several power projects in the County, which will lead to universal homestead electricity connections in year 2022.
“Electricity power connectivity in the county currently stands at 51.1 percent and the company hopes to attain 100 percent by 2022.
“We have initiated several projects which are funded by the national government at a cost of Sh.2 billion and we are determined by 2022 we will achieve 100 percent power connection in this county,” Kamau further noted.
Meanwhile, the Engineer decried increased vandalizing and theft of streetlights, saying the trend has subjected the company to incur huge losses.
Many towns within the county, Kamau said streetlights have been stolen denying business community to operate at night.
Theft of streetlights is also termed as a challenge in provision of security with some areas reporting an increase of house and business premises break-ins.
Several streets within Murang’a town, LED lights have been stolen more than once despite efforts by KPC to light all estates within the town.
“Theft of streetlights has been rampant in some parts of the county and we are working in partnership with security personnel to curb the crime. So far some individuals have been arraigned in court after they were nabbed vandalizing power infrastructure,” said Kamau.
The Murang’a County Commissioner (CC),, Mohammed Barre who is also chairman of the CDICC warned cartels behind theft of street lights, saying security officers are on alert to apprehend the culprits.
By Bernard Munyao
