Effects of extreme temperature and rainfall on vulnerability and climate change resilience of electricity transmission infrastructure in Kajiado County, Kenya

This publication examines how extreme temperature and rainfall influence the vulnerability and climate change resilience of electricity transmission infrastructure in Kajiado County, Kenya. Using a mixed-methods approach combining statistical analysis, GIS-based assessments and expert insights, the study establishes that although extreme temperature and rainfall were not statistically significant predictors of infrastructure resilience, they present important operational and structural risks.

Key findings highlight the effects of extreme heat on conductor sagging, transformer overheating and equipment efficiency, alongside rainfall-induced flooding, soil erosion around tower foundations and restricted maintenance access. Importantly, the research demonstrates that infrastructure vulnerability is not determined by climatic hazards alone but by their interaction with engineering design, environmental conditions, maintenance practices and institutional preparedness.