Nairobi Expressway power line relocation set to cost Sh1.08 billion
Kenya Power has started the relocation of power lines to pave way for construction of the 27.1-km long Nairobi Expressway, an exercise estimated to cost Sh1.08 billion.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) will meet the cost of relocating the lines between Mlolongo, Mombasa road, and James Gichuru road.
KeNHA will also fund the relocation of water and sewerage lines, and moving of infrastructure belonging to about 15 ICT service providers.
Bernard Ngugi, Kenya Power managing director said the exercise will involve relocation of 106 kilometres of high voltage (106 Kv), medium voltage (11Kv) and low voltage cables and 28 transformers serving the area.
However, Ngugi who was addressing the press along Waiyaki Way in Westlands, Nairobi yesterday assured customers within estates along the Expressway corridor that they will experience minimal interruptions in power supply.
He said the firm will leverage the live line maintenance technology to relocate most of the lines without switching off power.
Critical exercise
“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,” Ngugi added.
He explained that where it would be inevitable to switch off supply, they are scheduling interruptions and communicating the plan to customers.
Kenya Power Board chairman Mahboub Maalim said by end of November, Kenya Power would be done with the relocation and handed over space.
