Western Kenya Pipeline Extension (WKPE)

16 years after building the Mombasa to Nairobi pipeline the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) expanded Kenya's pipeline network. In 1994, the 446 kilometer Western Kenya Pipeline Extension (WKPE) was opened, connecting the towns of Nakuru, Eldoret and Kisumu to the Mombasa to Nairobi pipeline. The pipeline has a diameter of 6 - 8 inches, and initially had a flow rate of 160 cubic metres per hour. Due to an increase in demand for oil, the KPC increased the flow rate to 220 cubic metres per hour in 2004 by installing a new pump station. As part of Vision 2030 the KPC is currently involved in building a new parallel pipeline from Nairobi to Eldoret, with a diameter of 14 inches and potential flow rate of 757 cubic metres per hour.

A future project is to further extend the WKPE to Kampala in Uganda, and potentially on to Rwanda. The proposal is to build a 360 kilometer reversible pipeline connecting Kampala to Eldoret, which could transport oil in both directions. A contract to carry out the project was awarded to the Libyan company Tamoil, but it was unsuccessful. New bids from investors are currently under review.

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