Ethio-Kenya Project: Kenya to Import Electricity

Kenya will soon construct an electricity transmission line from Ethiopia-Moyale border town to Suswa in Longonot with an aim of importing the commodity. This was revealed when a team from Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd. (KETRACO) and World Bank paid a courtesy call to the Acting Marsabit Central DC Mr. Kipchumba Ruto at his office headquarters yesterday. The team, led by Ramata Godana were on a feasibility study of the project to be funded by Africa Development Bank (ADB). 

The transmission line is expected to run through Marsabit County to Samburu, Rumuruti before reaching Suswa in Longonot area of Rift valley province. Mr. Godana said the transmission line was aimed at boosting electricity output on the national grid. He said the team would specially look into security implications involving local livestock keeping herders who lived adjacent to the proposed transmission line. 

The DC said the locals nomads would be sensitized on the benefits and demerits of the power line on their lives and livelihoods before the project takes off. He told the team to include issues of corporate social responsibility on installation of the project by assisting the impoverished local nomads with basic amenities like schools and hospitals. The DC asked the team to install reflectors on the transmission line to save livestock especially the camels from knocking on it due to their poor eyesight at night.

Courtesy of  www.kassfm.co.ke