Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is set to spend over Sh1 billion to relocate Kenya Power electricity lines to pave way for the construction of the Nairobi Expressway.
Seeking to alleviate fears of power outages during the relocation, Kenya Power Managing Director Bernard Ngugi assured Nairobi residents that their live transmission unit will facilitate the smooth transfer of transformers.
“We aim to keep the lights on even as we carry out this critical exercise. We will ensure that we relocate as much network as possible using our Live Line Maintenance team to minimise interruption,” said Ngugi.
However, Ngugi said that some customers within estates along the Expressway corridor may experience interruptions in power supply.
The estates affected are between Mlolongo, Mombasa Road, and James Gichuru Road.
The relocation is paving way for the construction of the 27.1-kilometre long highway connecting Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Westlands, Nairobi.
“As as today, Kenya Power has covered 17 kilometres of the Expressway. Once completed, 40.6 kilometres of the network will pass underground,” said Kenya Power.
On their proposal to increase the cost of electricity by 20 percent citing the high cost of wholesale power, Ngugi said they are still waiting for a response from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
