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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                           ---------------------------


                                 SCHEDULE 14D-1
                               (Amendment No. 40)
                             Tender Offer Statement
      (Pursuant to Section 14(d)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)

                           ---------------------------


                        Kansas City Power & Light Company
                            (Name of Subject Company)
                             Western Resources, Inc.
                                    (Bidder)
                         Common Stock, Without Par Value
                         (Title of Class of Securities)
                                    48513410
                      (CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
                                John K. Rosenberg
                  Executive Vice President and General Counsel
                             Western Resources, Inc.
                                818 Kansas Avenue
                              Topeka, Kansas 66612
                              Phone: (913) 575-6300
                (Name, Address, including Zip Code, and Telephone
               Number, including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

                           ---------------------------

                                   Copies to:

                                Neil T. Anderson
                               Sullivan & Cromwell
                                125 Broad Street
                            New York, New York 10004
                                 (212) 558-4000

                                 William S. Lamb
                     LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
                              125 West 55th Street
                            New York, New York 10019
                                 (212) 424-8000


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         This Amendment No. 40 amends and supplements the Tender Offer Statement
on Schedule 14D-1 (the "Schedule 14D-1"), originally filed by Western Resources,
Inc., a Kansas corporation ("Western Resources"), on July 8, 1996 relating to
the exchange offer disclosed therein to exchange all of the outstanding Shares
for shares of Western Resources Common Stock upon the terms and subject to the
conditions set forth in the Prospectus, dated July 3, 1996, and the related
Letter of Transmittal. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have
the meanings set forth in the Schedule 14D-1.


Item 11.          Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

         Item 11 is hereby amended and supplemented by adding thereto the
following:

         (a)(111) Information mailed on or about October 4, 1996 to certain
KCPL Shareholders.

         (a)(112) Information mailed on or about October 4, 1996 to certain
KCPL Shareholders.







                                    SIGNATURE

         After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.


                                      By: /s/ Jerry D. Courington
                                          Name:  Jerry D. Courington
                                          Title: Controller



Dated:  October 4, 1996






                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


 Exhibit
   No.           Description
- --------         -----------

(a)(111)         Information mailed on or about October 4, 1996 to certain
                 KCPL Shareholders.

(a)(112)         Information mailed on or about October 4, 1996 to certain
                 KCPL Shareholders.



Western Resources
838 Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 6612



October 25 is a target date for you to help end the costly action over the
future of KCPL. Please act now and you get . . .

          The October 25, 1996 target date is approaching on Western Resources'
friendly offer directly to shareowners.

          Tender now and you can get an increase of up to 45% in the projected
dividend, based on the projected Western Resources dividend after closing.

          Tender now and you can get a tax-free exchange of each of your KCPL
shares for $31 dollars of Western Resources stock.

          Tender now and you can get product diversity and international
outreach for KCPL.

          Tender now and you get a combined company with the strength and vision
to compete in the new deregulated marketplace.

          Tender now and you can help bring an end to this merger effort that is
not only costly in terms of KCPL dollars, but also in terms of KCPL management
distraction. It's time to get on with business.

          Tender now and you can get shares in a dynamic new company that will
help set the standards for the energy business in the 21st century.

          We have sent you the material you need to tender in the packet marked
"It's as easy as 1,2,3,4."

          Tender now and we will keep our communication with you to a minimum,
but keep you informed of important developments.

          If you have any questions, call Western Resources' representative
toll-free at 1-800-223-2064.

Western Resources(R)


This post card is neither an offer to exchange nor a solicitation of an offer
to exchange shares of common stock of KCPL. Such offer is made solely by the
Prospectus dated July 3, 1996, and the related Letter of Transmittal, and is not
being made to, nor will tenders to be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of
shares of common stock of KCPL in any jurisdiction in which the making of the
offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such
jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where securities, blue sky or other laws
require the offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer, such offer shall be
deemed to be made on behalf of Western Resources, Inc., by Salomon Brothers Inc
or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such
jurisdiction.




Western Resources
838 Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 6612



October 25 is a target date for you to help end the costly action over the
future of KCPL. Please act now and you get . . .

          The October 25, 1996 target date is approaching on Western Resources'
friendly offer directly to shareowners.

          Tender now and you can get an increase of up to 45% in the projected
dividend, based on the projected Western Resources dividend after closing.

          Tender now and you can get a tax-free exchange of each of your KCPL
shares for $31 dollars of Western Resources stock.

          Tender now and you can get product diversity and international
outreach for KCPL.

          Tender now and you get a combined company with the strength and vision
to compete in the new deregulated marketplace.

          Tender now and you can help bring an end to this merger effort that is
not only costly in terms of KCPL dollars, but also in terms of KCPL management
distraction. It's time to get on with business.

          Tender now and you can get shares in a dynamic new company that will
help set the standards for the energy business in the 21st century.

          We have sent you the material you need to tender in the packet marked
"It's as easy as 1,2,3."

          Tender now and we will keep our communication with you to a minimum,
but keep you informed of important developments.

          If you have any questions, call Western Resources' representative
toll-free at 1-800-223-2064.

Western Resources(R)


This post card is neither an offer to exchange nor a solicitation of an offer
to exchange shares of common stock of KCPL. Such offer is made solely by the
Prospectus dated July 3, 1996, and the related Letter of Transmittal, and is not
being made to, nor will tenders to be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of
shares of common stock of KCPL in any jurisdiction in which the making of the
offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such
jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where securities, blue sky or other laws
require the offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer, such offer shall be
deemed to be made on behalf of Western Resources, Inc., by Salomon Brothers Inc
or one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such
jurisdiction.