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                    SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
        PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE
                 SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Filed by the Registrant  [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:

[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ]  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
     by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

[ ]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[X]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 240.14a-11(c) or Rule
     240.14a-12

                KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
        (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[ ]  $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1),
     14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.

[ ]  $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange
     Act Rule 14a-6(i)(3).

[ ]  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules
     14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

     (1)  Title of each class of securities to which transaction
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     (2)  Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
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     (3)  Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
          computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:

     (4)  Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

     (5)  Total fee paid:

[X]  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[ ]  Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
     Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for
     which the offsetting fee was paid previously.  Identify the
     previous filing by registration statement number, or the
     Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

     (1)  Amount Previously Paid:

     (2)  Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

     (3)  Filing Party:

     (4)  Date Filed:

                              ####
                                

(Commercial for Kansas City, Missouri, local radio play)

     ANNOUNCER:
     
     Kansas City Power & Light Company is grateful to its
     many constituencies who support the KCPL UtiliCorp
     merger.
     
     Our Companies are committed to delivering long-term
     value to you now and in the future.  This truly is a
     friendly merger of equals.
     
     Our two companies share not only a vision for the
     future, but also a true commitment to the shareholders,
     customers, employes and the communities we serve.  Our
     merger needs your continued support in order to
     succeed.  If you are a shareholder, vote YES for the
     KCPL-UtiliCorp merger on your WHITE proxy card.
     
     Kansas City Power & Light Company and UtiliCorp.  A
     partnership of equals...working together.

(end of commercial)

                        #####

(Press release issued 5-16-96)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:                                   Investor Contact:
  Pam Levetzow                                      David Myers
  816 / 556-2926                                    816 / 556-2312
  Phyllis Desbien
  816 / 556-2903       Joele Frank / Tim Metz
                       Abernathy MacGregor Scanlon
                       212 / 371-5999

      MISSOURI GOVERNOR CARNAHAN BACKS KCPL/UTILICORP
                        ____________
                              
     Kansas City, Missouri (May 16, 1996) -- Kansas City Power &
Light Company (NYSE: KLT) Chairman and President Drue Jennings
says he is "deeply gratified" that Governor Mel Carnahan of
Missouri has announced support of a proposed merger between
Kansas City Power & Light Company and UtiliCorp United (NYSE:
UCU).

     Governor Carnahan in his statement said,  "I believe that
the strategic merger of these two companies will result in a
situation that is in the best interest of the State of Missouri.
The merger of KCPL and UtiliCorp will preserve existing jobs,
will create new positions, and will create a Missouri-based
corporate headquarters that will have a tremendous economic
impact on the Kansas City region."

     "I am confident that the result of this merger will be
strong corporate leadership and a valuable ally in our economic
development efforts.  This proposal provides the best future
prospects for Missouri and the Kansas City area," Carnahan added.

     Drue Jennings said, "I am deeply gratified by this show of
support by the Governor.  We have received support of this
planned strategic merger from such diverse groups as
shareholders, legislators, employees, and community
organizations.  We believe the facts speak for themselves; the
friendly merger of equals between KCPL and UtiliCorp offers the
best prospects for growth."

     Kansas City Power & Light Company provides electric power to
a growing and diversified service territory encompassing
metropolitan Kansas City and parts of eastern Kansas and western
Missouri.  KCPL is a low-cost producer and leader in fuel
procurement and plant technology.  KLT Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of KCPL, pursues opportunities in non-regulated,
primarily energy-related ventures.

(end of press release)
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