JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF

AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY

COURSE OF STUDY: ELEECTRICAL AND ELECRONIC ENGINEERING

NAME: LINUS OGERO BWANA

REGISTRATION NO: EN271-3462/2014

HOST INSTITUTION: KENYA POWER

PERIOD: MAY TO AUGUST

DATE OF SUBMISSION:
AKNOLEDGEMENT
This attachment and the resultant report, has offered me invaluable lessons and brought me to a close
touch with the salient features and matters pertaining to Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Such
lessons cannot be attained in any ordinary class environment and are largely interplay between the class
based inputs from my lecturers and more so from the patience and guidance I got from the special
individuals I had the rare opportunity of interacting with during my attachment period.

My special thanks go to the Kenya Power Operation and Maintenance team that helped me acquire the
necessary knowledge especially Mr. Joe Mathenge the head of the Operation and Maintenance
department team who believed much in me to recommend me for the position of a trainee and even
went ahead to advice and guide me in my area of specialization during my time with his team. I would
like also to extend my gratitude to my other trainers and the entire Operation and Maintenance who
found it in their heart to guide me whenever I looked up to them and hence made my stay with them
educative and peaceful.

Of course without my lecturers this could not be possible. My special thanks to Miss Kioo, for assessing
me and advising me extensively on my career path as an Electrical Engineer. I would also like to thank
my fellow attachees: Titus, Mawira and Bruce Aguta for their support and encouragement.

Finally, this report cannot be without the mention of my family, Annette, Virginia and Brian who were so
supportive through encouragement and love, also to my sincere friends for their moral support during
the period.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report is a summary of activities covered during my industrial attachment period at KENYA POWER.

It is an overview of the activities I was involved in during the attachment period. This report also points

out the main areas covered during my attachment period at the institution while at the field work at

large. This report is an account of my experience as an attaché at Kenya Power. Kenya Power mainly

deals with the distribution of power to the final consumer. Effective distribution of high voltages

requires a joint effort by different personnel working in different departments as highlighted within this

report. The Operation and Maintenance department that I served in dealt with repairs and

maintenance. Duties of this department included replacement of broken/faulty poles, maintenance of

protection equipment like circuit breakers, repairing of broken conductors among others. Challenges

encountered, solutions provided and individual member contributions are highlighted herein with

emphasis on skills and knowledge I acquired.

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Contents
AKNOLEDGEMENT...............................................................................................................................1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.......................................................................................................................2
1.0 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION................................................................................................4
1.1 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMPANY.....................................................................................................4
1.2 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE COMPANY...............................................................................................5
1.3 VISION, MISSION AND CORE VALUSES OF THE INSTITUTION............................................................5
VISION.................................................................................................................................................5
MISSION..............................................................................................................................................5
CORE VALUES......................................................................................................................................6
ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY.....................................................................................6
2.0 CHAPTER TWO: HOST ATTACHMENT DEPARTMENT.........................................................8
2.1 Key Functions of the Department......................................................................................................8
2.2 Staff Establishment of the Department (Operation Department).....................................................12
2.3 Student’s Main Objectives for Attachment Exercise.......................................................................13
2.4 Routine Duties and Participation Forums........................................................................................13
3.0 CHAPTER THREE: EVALUATION OF THE ATTACHMENT PERIOD................................14
3.1 Success/failure of the attachment exercise......................................................................................14
3.3 Solution to challenges.....................................................................................................................14
3.4 Recommendation to JKUAT on the attachment exercise................................................................15
4.0 CONCLUSION.................................................................................................................................. 15
5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES.................................................................................................. 15

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1.0 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
Kenya Power is a limited liability company, which was incorporated in 1922 as the East African
Power & Lighting Company (EAP&L). The company changed to its present name (Kenya Power) in
2011. Kenya Power is a limited liability company which transmits, distributes and retails electricity
throughout Kenya. The majority shareholder in Kenya Power is the government of Kenya and its
institution, while the remainder is owned by private shareholders.

1.1 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMPANY

1875: Seyyied Bargash, the Sultan of Zanzibar, acquires a generator to light his palace and nearby
streets.

1908: Harrali Esmailjee Jeevanjee, a wealthy merchant in Mombasa, acquires the generator and
transfers it to the Mombasa Electric Power and Lighting Company.

1908: Around the same time, an engineer, Mr. Clement Hertzel, is granted the exclusive right to supply
electricity to the then district and town of Nairobi. This leads to the formation of the Nairobi Power and
Lighting Syndicate.

1922: The two utilities in Nairobi and Mombasa are merged under a new company incorporated as the
East African Power and Lighting Company (EAP&L).

1932: EAP&L acquires a controlling interest in the Tanganyika Electricity Supply Company Limited
(TANESCO).

1936: EAP&L obtains generating and distribution licenses for Uganda, thereby entrenching its presence
in the East African region.

1948: The Uganda Electricity Board (UEB) is established by the Ugandan Government to take
over distribution of electricity in the country.

1954: The Kenya Power Company (KPC) is created - to be managed by EAP&L - for the purpose of
transmitting power from Uganda through the Tororo-Juja line.

1964: EAP&L sells its majority stockholding in TANESCO to the Government of Tanzania.

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1983: With its operations confined only to Kenya, EAP&L is renamed The Kenya Power and Lighting
Company Limited (KPLC).

1997: The functions of generation are split from transmission and distribution. The Kenya Power
Company, which has been under the management of KPLC since 1954, becomes a separate entity
responsible for public-funded power generation projects.

1998: The Kenya Power Company is re-launched as the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen).

2004: The Energy Sector Recovery Project (ESRP) is started to rehabilitate and reinforce the
transmission and distribution network in order to improve the quality and reliability of supply, reduce
system losses and increase access to electricity.

2007: Rural Electrification Authority (REA) is established to speed up the implementation pace of the
rural electrification programme.

2008: The government to accelerate transmission infrastructure development incorporates Kenya

Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).

2008: The government incorporates the Geothermal Development Company tasked with developing
steam fields to reduce upstream power development risks so as to promote rapid development of
geothermal electric power.

2011: The Kenya Power and Lighting Company rebrands to Kenya Power.

1.2 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE COMPANY

Kenya Power transmits, distributes and retails electricity in Kenya. It is responsible for ensuring that
there is adequate line capacity to maintain the supply and quality of electricity throughout the country.
It reinforces the power transmission and distribution network by constructing additional lines and
substations. The efficiency of the transmission and distribution network is further enhanced in both
technical and non-technical aspects. The technical improvements include re-conducting of lines,
installation of capacitors and construction of additional feeders and substations. The non-technical
improvements done include introduction of electronic meters, improvement of meter reading
accuracy, fraud control and resolution of billing anomalies.

1.3 VISION, MISSION AND CORE VALUSES OF THE INSTITUTION

VISION
Provide world‐class power that delight our customers.

MISSION
Powering people for better lives.

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CORE VALUES
❖ Customer first
❖ One team
❖ Passion
❖ Integrity
❖ Excellence

ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY

ST ND RD
KENYA POWER ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE CORPORATE STRUCTURE 1 , 2 AND 3 LEVEL.

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2.0 CHAPTER TWO: HOST ATTACHMENT DEPARTMENT
2.1 Key Functions of the Department
a) Operations & Maintenance
Operation and maintenance department has four sub-departments i.e. emergency, substation
team, mains and sub-station teams. The main objective of this department is ensure that
consumers have a continuous and reliable power supply.

Emergency unit
Its core functions are;
❖ Isolation of transformers that are faulty which if not isolated could pose a hazard.
❖ Replacement of blown fuses
❖ Ensure there is a constant power supply by, reconnecting and replacing cut conductors,
❖ jumper cables and reconnection of expulsion fuses.

Sub-station team
This team’s main functions are;
❖ Load balancing
❖ Repair and installation of air brake switches.
❖ External wiring of distribution transformers.
❖ Performing earth tests on areas where distribution transformer placed and improving of
earth values by use of earth mats.

Mains team
This team is charged with the responsibility of maintaining 33kV, 11kV and 433V lines. This is
done by routine carrying out routine surveillance on the lines. It also undertakes constructs the
transmission lines when need arises.
The team is also responsible for the construction and maintenance of transformer structure and
replacement of rotten poles.

Poles and insulators used in power lines

Types of electrical poles over-head transmission

There are different types of poles or towers used to support overhead lines structures.
The following are requirements of line supports:

❖ It should have high mechanical strength.

❖ Maintenance should be easy and cost should be very low.
❖ It should be very light in weight and extremely durable

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The different line support used in power transmission lines include:

a) Wooden poles

They are cheap and are useful for lines of shorter span about 50 meters. They can withstand
voltages of up to 132kv when single or H-type poles are used. However, wooden poles are
disadvantageous in the sense that they are less durable therefore high cost of maintenance.

b) Steel poles

These are poles used for distribution purposes along road sides and developed areas. These are
favored for voltages of up to 220kv. They have high mechanical strength, long life, light but
expensive to install.

c) Reinforced concrete poles

They are widely used because of their longer durability and are used for system of up to
132kv. They have greater mechanical strength and maintaining cost is low. They also have
good insulating properties and appearance.

d) Latticed steel towers

Latticed steel towers are used in areas where long span are very essential and voltages above
33kv. Since they offer longer span, insulation cost and risk of interrupted service is reduced to a
large extent.

The poles are of the following feet:

Pole Size (feet) Depth of the Hole (feet)
32 5
36 6
40 7
45 8
50 9
55 10

Insulators

There are a number of insulators used in power transmission lines. These are:

a) Pin-insulator
It is the earliest developed for overhead power transmission. It is used in power networks of up
to 33kv system. According to voltage application pin-insulator can be classified into one part
(used in 11kv system), two parts (used in 33/11kv system) or three parts (used in 33kv system)
types. Pin insulators are majorly made of porcelain or glass.

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 b) Suspension insulators
They are used in higher voltages beyond 33kv. In suspension insulators, number of
insulators are connected in series to form a string and the line conductor is carried by the
bottom most insulator. Each insulator of a suspension string is called disc insulator.

Advantages of Suspension Insulator

1. Each suspension disc is designed for normal voltage rating 11KV(Higher voltage rating
15KV), so by using different numbers of discs, a suspension string can be made suitable for any
voltage level.
2. If any one of the disc insulators in a suspension string is damaged, it can be replaced
much easily.
3. Mechanical stresses on the suspension insulator is less since the line hanged on a
flexible suspension string.

4. As the current carrying conductors are suspended from supporting structure by suspension
string, the height of the conductor position is always less than the total height of the
supporting structure. Therefore, the conductors may be safe from lightening.

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disadvantages of Suspension Insulator

1. Suspension insulator string costlier than pin and post type insulator.
2. Suspension string requires more height of supporting structure than that for pin or
post insulator to maintain same ground clearance of current conductor.
3. The amplitude of free swing of conductors is larger in suspension insulator system, hence,
more spacing between conductors should be provided.

c) Strain insulator
A strain insulator is a suspension insulator which has been used to sustain extra-ordinary tensile
load a conductor. The great tensile load of conductor or strain occurs where there is a dead
end or there is a sharp corner on the transmission power line.

A strain insulator must have considerable mechanical strength as well as the

necessary electrical insulating properties.

d) Stay insulator
In LVs lines, the stays are insulated from the ground at a height by a stay insulator. Stay
insulator is designed in a manner that when the porcelain breaks the guy-wire does not fall
to the ground.

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 e) Shackle or pool insulator

Shackle insulator is normally used in low voltage distribution network. It can be used both in
horizontal and vertical position. The tapered hole of the spool insulator distributes the load
more evenly and minimize the possibility of breakage when heavily loaded. The conductor in
the groove of shackle insulator is fixed with the help of soft binding wire.

2.2 Staff Establishment of the Department (Operation Department)

The Operations & Maintenance department has;

Eng. John Kamau – Senior engineer O&M.

❖ Interfaces between the regional management and the staff of the departments in the
Region on motivation and general welfare, including safety and protection during work.
❖ In charge of planning all operations and maintenance activities in the region and reports to
the management.
❖ Ensure that the department offers quality services in compliance with the
company objectives.
❖ Advices the regional manager on various issues affecting power supply in the region so
as to improve power supply and distribution in the region.

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Supervisor Joe Mathenge

❖ Assigning of duties to the team members.

❖ Oversees and supervises the operation and maintenance team while they work and provides
technical assistance where necessary.
❖ Ensure that the operation and maintenance team offers quality services in compliance
with the company objectives.

2.3 Student’s Main Objectives for Attachment Exercise

The main objective of this industrial attachment was to make my training relevant to the
job requirement and to expose me to real work in the industry so as to complement my
theory learnt in class. This was achieved through:
• Provided opportunity to apply skills required through formal instructions in real work
situations.
• Exposure to the industrial/ business work culture through the actual involvement
in real work environment.
• Exposure to technologies and machines which are not available in the school.
• Building confidence in technical operations and problem solving by working
with professionals.

2.4 Routine Duties and Participation Forums

The routine duties of the department were:

a) Replacement of blown fuses which caused interruption of power supply from

distribution transformers.
b) Maintenance and protection of 33kV and 433kV lines.
This is done by surveying the 33kV lines to determine if they have any faults, replacing
worn out posts.
Protection of these transmission lines entails installation and maintenance of expulsion fuses
(spur fuses) and air break switches.
c) Installation of circuit breakers.
d) Replacement of rotten and broken poles.
e) Repairing of broken conductors.

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3.0 CHAPTER THREE: EVALUATION OF THE
ATTACHMENT PERIOD
3.1 Success/failure of the attachment exercise
I was very much engaged in application oriented work within the Operation and Maintenance especially
the installation of high tension fuses, repairing of overhead broken conductors, replacing of broken,
faulty poles among others. I gained a lot of hands experience while doing the maintenances. During the
attachment period I visited lots of places where I was exposed to lots of maintenance operations like
repairing of overhead broken conductors, replacing of broken and faulty poles. We also perform some
installation practices like installation of high tension fuses and circuit breakers. Among the feeders
places where we did the installation and maintenance include Juja town feeder, Ndarugo feeder,
Industrial one feeder, Bidco feeder among others. While working on the institution, I was able to relate
theoretical principles of Physics and Engineering with practical applications. Working among a team of
gifted and amiable men, I realized the need of team effort in accomplishing a task. Everyone would
perform his duty effectively to ensure success of a project

3.2 Challenges encountered

❖ There was a problem of language barrier when my colleagues at times resorted to vernacular to
easily converse at times of which I could not understand.

❖ Attachees should be rewarded for the work they are doing and for their participation.

❖ Some of the employees were unfriendly hence could not assist

❖ I would spend much personal finances when we travelled to the field for more than a day. When
the anticipated expenses seemed unbearable, I was compelled to stay off duty which meant missing
out on new experiences.

❖ To get a chance in a company demands a lot. As the department, they should look for a way of
getting attachment vacancies so as to avoid last minute rush.

3.3 Solution to challenges

Through asking questions and getting detailed explanations and guidance from the KENYA POWER
supervisor and technicians, I managed to understand the working of generators, troubleshooting
process servicing which included changing of oil, fuel filters, air filters and oil filters.

Whenever possible, I would finance my accommodation and meals while on field duties far from our
working station. The experience gained proved worthwhile.
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3.4 Recommendation to JKUAT on the attachment exercise

I appreciate the inclusion of the attachment program within the JKUAT curriculum. It really exposes the
student on the job that lies ahead of him. I, however, strongly recommend that the school, especially
the engineering departments, forms a partnership with many engineering firms to enable students be
easily absorbed as attachés in those firms. An option should, nonetheless, be available for students
wishing to be attached elsewhere.

4.0 CONCLUSION
The industrial attachment period has been really helpful and educative in my area of study as and
electrical and electronic engineer. My experience in KENYA POWER is one that I will perpetually
treasure. My supervisors and most of the people I worked with were in the operation department
were much friendly and helpful from the point I joined them. They gave me all sought of directions and
necessary skills while handling the machines.

For the short time I worked with them I leant a lot. It’s a good company where one can exploit his
knowledge learnt in class. I am humbled and grateful for KENYA POWER for giving me the opportunity to
work with them during my attachment period.

5.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY/REFERENCES

1. Student Log Book. Notes made during the attachment period.

2. Openticle.com
3. High voltage Engineering by Malestrom.
4. Power system analysis by Stevenson.
5. Weedy Power Electric Systems.
6. Wikipedia.
7. KPLC website
8. Equipment Manuals at the KPLC sites

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