The Sondu/Miriu Hydropower station was developed by KenGen and has an installed capacity 60 MW.
Unlike other stations in Kenya, Sondu Miriu&. Situated near Kisumu in western Kenya - does not have a major dam and associated large reservoir but relies on the flow in the river with only a small storage capacity at the intake.
It was funded by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, with KenGen meeting part of the cost.
Water is diverted from the Sondu River at the Intake through a 6.2 km long tunnel. A surface mounted penstock takes the water down the Nyakach escarpment to the Power Station below.
In the Powerhouse, harnessing the water and the head, the turbines are turned to generate the electricity.
The water is then returned to the Sondu river approximately 13km downstream of the intake via a 4.7km long outlet channel.