By Fridah Mbuvi, June 18, 2026
Kenya Power has launched a five-year wildlife protection initiative aimed at reducing electricity outages caused by animal contact with power infrastructure while safeguarding vulnerable species across the country.
The project, implemented in partnership with Kaddas Enterprises, seeks to address a major source of grid instability, with wildlife-related incidents accounting for nearly 30 per cent of all power interruptions.
The initiative will initially focus on retrofitting sections of the network within the Soysambu Conservancy, an area considered a critical habitat for birds of prey such as the Augur Buzzard and the endangered Martial Eagle, which frequently use utility poles as hunting perches.
Kenya Power said the Lanet-Naivasha Interconnector line has in the past experienced significant disruptions caused by large animals, including giraffes, and large-bodied birds that inadvertently bridge the gap between energized components.
Under the programme, specialized insulating covers developed by Kaddas Enterprises will be installed on power infrastructure to minimize accidental contact by wildlife and reduce the risk of electrocution.
The company noted that wildlife-related incidents, combined with human interference, account for nearly half of all power disruptions experienced on the national grid, making the project critical to improving reliability and reducing maintenance costs.
In addition to infrastructure upgrades, the Institute of Energy Studies and Research (IESR) will provide technical training to engineers and field personnel to enhance their capacity in designing and maintaining wildlife-friendly electricity networks.
The programme is expected to create a pool of “wildlife protection champions” within the energy sector who will incorporate environmental considerations into future grid development projects.
Kenya Power said the initiative reflects a broader commitment to balancing environmental conservation with the need for reliable electricity supply, while helping protect key species and preserving ecosystems around transmission corridors.
The utility expressed optimism that the project would significantly reduce wildlife-related outages, improve service reliability for consumers and contribute to sustainable coexistence between energy infrastructure and biodiversity.
