Nairobi, Thursday, June 18, 2026 (TDW News) — Kenya Power has launched a major wildlife protection initiative aimed at ending electrocution of birds of prey and other animals along key sections of the national electricity network, in a move that brings together energy infrastructure development and biodiversity conservation.
The initiative, implemented through the Institute of Energy Studies and Research (IESR), is being rolled out in partnership with US-based Kaddas Enterprises. It will involve retrofitting high-risk power lines with wildlife-friendly protective covers in identified hotspot corridors across the country.
The project officially began at the Soysambu Conservancy, a critical raptor habitat located about 130 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, where repeated wildlife-electrocution incidents have been reported.
The conservancy hosts key bird species such as the Augur Buzzard and Martial Eagle, which frequently perch on power infrastructure while hunting, placing them at high risk of fatal contact with live lines.
“A fragile balance between power and nature”
Speaking during the launch, Eng. Henry Pwani, Head of Research at the Institute of Energy Studies and Research (IESR), said the initiative is designed to address the growing tension between expanding energy infrastructure and wildlife conservation.
“Wildlife is part of our national heritage and a major driver of our tourism sector,” said Eng. Pwani.
“At the same time, Kenya Power plays a central role in supporting economic growth through reliable electricity supply. Our goal is to ensure that these two priorities coexist without conflict.”
He added that the project is not only environmental but also operational in nature.
“By protecting wildlife, we are directly improving grid reliability. This is a practical win for both conservation and service delivery.”
The scale of the problem: outages linked to wildlife
Kenya Power data presented during the launch highlights the significant operational impact of wildlife-related incidents on the national grid.
Key statistics
- Up to 50% of reported power outages are linked to electrocution incidents involving animals and related environmental interactions
- About 30% of outages are directly attributed to wildlife contact with power lines and infrastructure
- Wildlife-rich corridors such as Soysambu are classified among the highest-risk electrocution zones in Kenya
- The Lanet–Naivasha transmission line has recorded recurring disruptions linked to bird and animal electrocution incidents
Officials say these figures underscore the urgent need for engineering solutions that reduce both ecological harm and infrastructure downtime.
Five-year rollout targeting high-risk corridors
The five-year partnership between Kenya Power (through IESR) and Kaddas Enterprises will focus on systematic upgrades of transmission and distribution infrastructure in wildlife-sensitive areas.
Core interventions include:
- Installation of wildlife-friendly insulation covers on exposed conductors
- Mapping and engineering redesign of electrocution hotspots
- Targeted reinforcement of power lines along wildlife migration and nesting corridors
- Continuous monitoring and maintenance of upgraded sections
The initial pilot is being conducted along the Lanet–Naivasha interconnector, which passes through Soysambu Conservancy and supplies electricity to large parts of Nakuru County.
Field reality: repeated outages in Nakuru corridor
Kenya Power’s County Business Manager for Nakuru, Wesley Kerich, said the pilot site was selected due to repeated operational disruptions and its strategic importance to regional supply stability.
“This line serves a large part of Nakuru County. By implementing this project here, we will gather critical lessons that will guide expansion to other wildlife hotspots across the country,” he said.
He noted that both birds and larger wildlife species have been affected in the corridor, making it one of the most challenging sections of the grid.
Capacity building and technical transfer
Beyond infrastructure upgrades, the partnership also includes a training and technical capacity-building component targeting Kenya Power engineers and field maintenance teams.
The programme is designed to strengthen local expertise in:
- Wildlife-safe line design and maintenance
- Risk identification in biodiversity-sensitive zones
- Preventive maintenance practices for high-voltage infrastructure
Officials say this will ensure long-term sustainability beyond the initial five-year project cycle.
Why it matters: conservation meets grid stability
Environmental and energy experts say the initiative reflects a growing global shift toward eco-sensitive infrastructure planning, where utility companies integrate biodiversity protection into system design.
Kenya faces a dual challenge:
- Protecting globally significant biodiversity corridors that support tourism and conservation
- Expanding and stabilizing an electricity grid essential for industrialization and economic growth
If successful, the project could significantly reduce wildlife fatalities while improving power reliability in some of the country’s most vulnerable transmission corridors.
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