Tana Power Station

Power Stations in Kirinyaga

Tana Power Station: First of the Tana

This is situated immediately north of Camp Malta just over the southern border with Muranga County, 82 km from Nairobi City. Set just west of the Tana/Sagana Bridge, Tana Power Station lies upstream of the confluence of the Sagana and Maragua Rivers that form River Tana. Beyond the bridge about 10 km east lies the expansive Masinga Dam, fed by the Tana. The bigger units at Tana Power Station draw water from Sagana River, while the smaller units use water from Maragua River. Generally speaking, it is a run-of-river plant, functioning without traditional dams, in effect having low water storage capacity: Merila Dam on Sagana River and Maragua Dam on Maragua River. Commissioned in the late 1930’s, its original outmoded power plants – two units each of 2MW installed in 1933, one unit of 2.4MW installed in 1953, and two units each of 4.0MW installed in 1955 – were retired in 2010, paving the way for the insertion of two 5.5MW and two 4.5MW.


Kenya’s power generation mix includes both renewable and non-renewable. Historically, hydropower has been the dominant source of electricity in Kenya. Next to this, Kenya is known for its significant geothermal resources, particularly along the Rift Valley. To keep with its mission of 100% renewable energy, Kenya has been investing in wind and solar energy projects to diversify its power mix.


Known for its agricultural productivity, breathtaking landscapes, and cultural heritage, Kirinyaga is a key contributor to Kenya’s economy. Located at the foot of Mount Kenya, its landscape is characterized by lush green tea and coffee farms, rivers, and rolling hills, and the weather, year-round, is temperate and salubrious.

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Kirinyaga has a true tropical climate with equatorial rainfall pattern. Mean temperature ranges from a low of 8oC in the upper zones to 30oC in the lower zones about Mwea.

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