Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) has launched a new pump station at Ngema in Nakuru County which it says will improve the flowrate in the Western pipeline by 69 per cent.

KPC says the Sh1.4 billion project done by Strata Industrial Ltd will boost product flowrate along the 14-inch Western Kenya pipeline from current 330M3 per hour to 510M3 per hour.

The project is comprised of two mainline pumps that have been installed to operate on 1+1 mode (one pump operating and another on standby) to ensure maximized efficiency.

The station is part of the second phase of the Line IV (Nairobi-Eldoret pipeline) Capacity Enhancement Project started in 2022 to boost availability of product in Western Kenya.

The project’s Phase I incorporated two pumping stations installed at PS21 (Nairobi Terminal) and PS24 (Nakuru) with each station having two pumps installed on (1+1) operation mode.

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Speaking at the handover event in Ngema, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the project will enhance energy security for the entire Western Kenya region.

“With the accelerated flowrate of 510M3 per hour, KPC will certainly meet the western Kenya product demand particularly in the Eldoret, Nakuru and Kisumu depots which are the pillars of our fuel export market,” noted Wandayi.

Commenting on the third phase of the project planned to begin in 2026,

KPC MD Joe Sang says the company intends to improve the flow rate from 515m3/hr to an optimal rate of 757m3/hr based on product demand in the third phase set to begin in 2026.

“Plans are also underway to re-configure the Nairobi Terminal (PS21) to a 2+1 mode to ensure maximum utilization of the pipeline,” added the KPC Managing Director.

He revealed this was the first time a local contractor was given the full scope of building a pumping station, saying it was a testament of the developing capability of local expertise.

Strata Industrial Limited’s Francis Njogu lauded the company for according them the construction opportunity saying it showed confidence in the capacity of local contractors.

“We worked very closely with the KPC management, Ministry of Energy & Petroleum leadership and the local community who provided the labour needed to undertake the project,” said Njogu.

He added: “This is testament that big projects can be done by indigenous companies on budget and on time.”

KPC says the project is part of its long-term strategy to expand and modernize petroleum transportation infrastructure to support Kenya’s efforts as a regional petroleum hub.