Kenya Power, through its Institute of Energy Studies and Research (IESR), has started a wildlife protection programme to shield birds of prey and other animals from electrocution while improving electricity supply reliability nationwide.
The programme, carried out with US-based Kaddas Enterprises, targets parts of Kenya’s power network that run through important wildlife corridors. It will retrofit wildlife-friendly covers on lines identified as electrocution hotspots.
Kenya Power says the effort responds to an increasing problem affecting both conservation and electricity distribution.
“Wildlife forms part of our national heritage and plays a major role in tourism. At the same time, Kenya Power’s work in energy distribution supports the country’s economic growth. Our goal is to ensure nature and energy infrastructure can coexist peacefully,” said Eng. Henry Pwani, Head of Research at IESR.
Work has begun in Soysambu Conservancy, about 130 kilometres northwest of Nairobi, where numerous bird electrocution incidents have been recorded.
The conservancy is an important habitat for several raptor species, including the Augur Buzzard and the Martial Eagle, which often perch on power poles and lines while hunting.
Kenya Power estimates that incidents involving animals, together with human activities, account for about 50 per cent of power outages nationwide. Around 30 per cent of those interruptions are linked to wildlife coming into contact with power lines.
The five-year collaboration between Kenya Power and Kaddas Enterprises is expected to sharply reduce wildlife electrocution incidents and lower power interruptions caused by such events.
“Protecting wildlife also strengthens the reliability of power supply for our customers. This is beneficial for both the environment and our business,” said Eng. Pwani.
He said IESR will keep seeking innovative approaches to address challenges faced by communities served by Kenya Power’s infrastructure.
One priority area is the Lanet–Naivasha Interconnector, which crosses Soysambu Conservancy and has suffered repeated supply interruptions linked to electrocution of birds and large animals, including giraffes.
Kenya Power says experience gained from the work on this transmission corridor will guide similar interventions in other wildlife-electrocution hotspots across the country.
“This line supplies a large part of Nakuru County, and by implementing the project here, we expect to gain lessons that will be useful as it is expanded to other hotspot areas nationwide,” said Wesley Kerich, Kenya Power’s County Business Manager for Nakuru.
In addition to fitting wildlife-friendly covers on power infrastructure, the partnership includes training for Kenya Power’s technical staff. The programme aims to build awareness and develop internal experts who can incorporate wildlife protection into the planning and design of energy infrastructure.
The initiative highlights Kenya Power’s push to combine dependable electricity distribution with environmental conservation, while safeguarding key wildlife species and reducing costly power disruptions.