Kenya Power engineers finally restore key transmission line

A crucial Kenya Power transmission line that has been under reconstruction following a nationwide blackout some 10 days ago has fully been restored.

The announcement was made Sunday Morning by Energy Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma who hailed a team of engineers that has been working round the clock to permanently fix the high voltage line that collapsed plunging the country into darkness.

“At 2045hrs, yesterday, the 220KV temporary restoration of the Dandora-Embakasi transmission line was energised.  Well done to the teams that made this happen.  The community has been a key supporter in this effort, and I welcome their commitment to secure the infrastructure” the CS tweeted.

At 2045hrs, yesterday, the 220KV temporary restoration of the Dandora-Embakasi transmission line was energised.
Well done to the teams that made this happen. The community has been a key supporter in this effort, and I welcome their commitment to secure the infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/ko8mszjPDn

— Amb. Dr. Monica Juma (@_MonicaJuma) January 23, 2022

A temporary line at Mukuru Kwa Njenga has also been completed.

1/ Conducted a final inspection of the now completed temporary line at Mukuru kwa Njenga, where I met with the @KenyaPower team that has completed the construction of a temporary line within 10 days.
Also held a kamukunji with the residents who relocated from the way leave. pic.twitter.com/BnWYLEwA7m

— Amb. Dr. Monica Juma (@_MonicaJuma) January 22, 2022

Pylons that support Kiambere – Embakasi high voltage transmission power line collapsed on January 11 shortly before 11 am prompting a probe by the DCI following reports of sabotage.

Power supply since the incident has been erratic with most areas in the city experiencing frequent outages while others have been on low voltage.

So far, investigations have shown that the basement of the Angle towers of Kenya Power’s High voltage power lines in Embakasi had been vandalized and the cross beams removed and unbolted, leading to the collapse that caused a major outage.

The 10 Kenya Power senior managers who were arrested on Tuesday could face terror and sabotage charges.

The managers, who are in custody as detectives finalise investigations, are said to have deliberately failed to act on vandalism reports.

“The systematic sabotage and likely commission of terrorism act could have resulted into a calamity, mass death and massive destruction of property and uncountable losses given the high voltage electric current that is conveyed by the said power line,” said the DCI