1.
CU Sign "Kenya Power Company"
0.06

2.
SV PAN..& MV..PAN.. Mr. Ngala arrives and being greeted (2 shots)
0.18

3.
GV Crowd seated
0.21

4.
CU's Mr. Gecau speaking
0.27

5.
MV Guests applauding
0.32

6.
CU's Mr. Ngala speaks (2 shots)
0.42

7.
SCU Guests seated
0.45

8.
CU & MV PAN..Ngala speaking on telephone to controller and opening power line - guests applaud (3 shots)
1.01

9.
SV Ngala and party down steps of dais and walk towards power station
1.10

10.
CU Electricity distribution chart
1.14

11.
BACK V..& MV.. Ngala and party inspecting electrical appliance (4 shots)
1.28

12.
MV INTERIOR..Ngala inspects Power House Control room PAN to control panel (3 shots)
1.44

13.
MV Ngala being shown equipment by engineer, PAN to others looking on
1.49

14.
GV EXTERIOR.. Power House and part of station
1.54



Initials ES. 2430 ES. 2450



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The new Kenyan electricity supply line which runs 283 miles (455 kms) from Mombasa on the coast to the capital, Nairobi, was officially opened on Tuesday (September 7) by Minister of Power and Communications, Mr. Ronald Ngala.

The new line will increase the capacity of the power plant on the Tana River, and is one more step on the way to self-sufficiency in electricity supply for Kenya, which at present receives part of its supply from Uganda.

The capital cost of the project was met by loans from the Commonwealth Development Corporation, a consortium of British Banks, aid by the East African Power and Lighting Company.

SYNOPSIS: The East African Power and Lighting Company laid on an special ceremony in Mombasa on Tuesday for the commissioning of the new Nairobi-Mombasa transmission line which will increase Kenya's electricity capacity. The guest of honour at the official opening was the Minister of Power and Communications Mr Ronald Ngala, who was welcomed by the Power Company Chairman Mr. J.K. Gecau.

The new line is one more step on the road to self-sufficiency in electricity supply for Kenya, which at present receives part of its electricity supply from Uganda. Its main effect will be to increase the capacity of the power plant on Tana River.

Mr. Ngala performed the switching-on ceremony by telephoning the power station controller, giving the go-ahead for the opening. The new line will ensure the strength and reliability of supplies between Nairobi and Mombasa.

Officials then escorted Mr. Ngala and his party to the power station, giving him a conducted tour, and explaining what the new power line will mean to Kenya. It is part of a general extending of electricity supply throughout the country. With the completion of the new phase at Kamburu on Tana River - likely to be inaugurated in 1974 - Kenya will be self-sufficient in the supply of locally generated power. The Nairobi-Mombasa line was constructed over a period of 14 months, and many technical difficulties were overcome in its construction, over a distance of 283 miles (455 kms). The capital cost of the project was met by loans from the Commonwealth Development Corporation a consortium o British Banks, and also from the internal resources of the East African Power and Lighting Company.