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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 / /
    Filed by a Party other than the Registrant /X/
 
    Check the appropriate box:
    / /  Preliminary Proxy Statement
    / /  Definitive Proxy Statement
    /X/  Definitive Additional Materials
    / /  Soliciting  Material  Pursuant  to Rule 14a-11(c) or
         or Rule 14a-12
 
               KANSAS CITY POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) 
 
                    WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement) 
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
/ /  $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(I)(1), or 14a-
6(I)(2)
/ /  $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 applies: 
     ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
     2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: 
      ----------------------------------------------------------------- 
     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:
      -----------------------------------------------------------------
Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
     was determined.
 
/ /  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:
        ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 /x/  Filing fee paid with preliminary filing.

     
The following materials will be used in presentations to be made to the
public beginning May 15, 1996.


  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense
combination

Shareholder advantages

               Western                                 Western
               Resources'          UtiliCorp's         Resources'
               Offer (1)           Offer               Premium

Price          $28.00              $23.88 (2)          17.3%

Current
dividend       $1.88 - $2.03       $ 1.56 (3)         20.2% - 30.1%

Dividend
at closing     $1.95 - $2.11       $ 1.85 (4)          5.2% - 13.9%

                 Tax-free          Tax-free

(1)  Subject to exchange ratio of .910 - .985 Western Resources shares for
     each KCPL share.  Based on 5.8.96 prices, exchange ratio would be .945
     Western shares for each KCPL share.  Dividend at closing based on
     post-merger indicated dividend of $2.14 as forecasted in Western's
     proposed exchange offer.
(2)  KCPL closing share price on April 12, 1996, the last trading day
     before the public announcement of the Western Resources Offer.
(3)  Current dividend of KCPL.
(4)  Based on announcement by KCPL of intent to recommend a dividend of
     $1.85 following the close of the merger.



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

  The common-sense 
  combination

Calculation of stock price and
dividends to KCPL shareholders--
current annual dividends

          Western   Exchange  Stock     Premium   Dividend  Increase
          Stock     Ratio     Value     to KCPL   to KCPL   in KCPL
          Price     WR/KCPL   to KCPL   April 12  Holders/1 Dividend/1

          $27.00    0.985     $26.59    11.4%     $2.03     30.1%
           27.50    0.985      27.08    13.4%      2.03     30.1%
           28.00    0.985      27.58    15.5%      2.03     30.1%
          ----------------------------------------------------------
Collar     28.43    0.985      28.00    17.3%      2.03     30.1%
           28.50    0.982      28.00    17.3%      2.02     29.5%
           29.00    0.966      28.00    17.3%      1.99     27.5%
           29.50    0.949      28.00    17.3%      1.96     25.6%
           30.00    0.933      28.00    17.3%      1.92     23.3%
           30.50    0.918      28.00    17.3%      1.89     21.2%
Collar     30.77    0.910      28.00    17.3%      1.88     20.2%
          ----------------------------------------------------------
           31.00    0.910      28.21    18.2%      1.88     20.2%
           31.50    0.910      28.66    20.1%      1.88     20.2%
           32.00    0.910      29.12    22.0%      1.88     20.2%
           32.50    0.910      29.57    23.9%      1.88     20.2%
           33.00    0.910      30.03    25.8%      1.88     20.2%
           33.50    0.910      30.48    27.7%      1.88     20.2%

     1/ Based on current annual dividends of $2.06 for Western Resources
        and $1.56 for KCPL



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

Calculation of stock price and projected
dividends to KCPL shareholders --
post-merger indicated dividends

          Western   Exchange  Stock     Premium   Dividend  Increase
          Stock     Ratio     Value     to KCPL   to KCPL   in KCPL
          Price     WR/KCPL   to KCPL   April 12  Holders/1 Dividend/1

          $27.00    0.985     $26.59    11.4%     $2.11     13.9%
           27.50    0.985      27.08    13.4%      2.11     13.9%
           28.00    0.985      27.58    15.5%      2.11     13.9%
          ----------------------------------------------------------
Collar     28.43    0.985      28.00    17.3%      2.11     13.9%
           28.50    0.982      28.00    17.3%      2.10     13.6%
           29.00    0.966      28.00    17.3%      2.07     11.7%
           29.50    0.949      28.00    17.3%      2.03      9.8%
           30.00    0.933      28.00    17.3%      2.00      7.9%
           30.50    0.918      28.00    17.3%      1.97      6.2%
Collar     30.77    0.910      28.00    17.3%      1.95      5.2%
          ----------------------------------------------------------
           31.00    0.910      28.21    18.2%      1.95      5.2%
           31.50    0.910      28.66    20.1%      1.95      5.2%
           32.00    0.910      29.12    22.0%      1.95      5.2%
           32.50    0.910      29.57    23.9%      1.95      5.2%
           33.00    0.910      30.03    25.8%      1.95      5.2%
           33.50    0.910      30.48    27.7%      1.95      5.2%

     1/ Based on projected 1998 post-merger dividend of $2.14 as forecasted
        in Western's proposed exchange offer

     2/ Based on proposed 1998 post-merger indicated dividend of $1.85 as
announced in the UtiliCorp deal



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

  The common-sense 
  combination

Implied Value of
Competing KCPL Offers

Last two years (April 1994 - Current)

[Line Graph)
[Line plotting the effect the exchange ratio would have had if the merger
of WR and KCPL had been effected on that date based on the closing price of
Western Resources' common stock closing price each month from April 1994 to
December 1995, Weekly stock price from January 19, 1996 to April 12, 1995
and Daily stock prices from April 14, 1996 to May 6, 1996]

Based on WR's price
and exchange ratio of
0.910 to 0.985

[Line plotting the effect the exchange ratio would have had if the merger
of UtiliCorp and KCPL had been effected on that date based on the closing
price of UtiliCorp's common stock closing price each month from April 1994
to December 1995, Weekly stock price from January 19, 1996 to April 12,
1995 and Daily stock prices from April 14, 1996 to May 6, 1996]

Based on
UtiliCorp's price
and exchange
ratio of 0.912

Line showing plotting the stock price of KCPL's common stock closing price
each month from April 1994 to December 1995, Weekly stock price from
January 19, 1996 to April 12, 1995 and Daily stock prices from April 14,
1996 to May 6, 1996

WR's offer, had it been in effect the past
two years, would have yielded superior
stock value compared to KCPL's stock
performance and the UtiliCorp deal.

[Legend]
KCPL [solid line]
WR Offer to KCPL  [dashed line]
UCU Offer to KCPL  [dotted line]

(Monthly data April '94 - December '95; Weekly data 1/19/96 - 4/12/96;
Daily data 4/11/96 - 5/6/96



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

UtiliCorp's "Growth" Story

                              1993      1994      1995

"Energy-related
other assets (millions)       $972      $1,127    $1,786

Operating Income (millions)   $(41)     $   41    $   29

Return on Investment          -4.2%     3.6%      1.6%

Since 1992, UCU has recorded more than
$120 million in writeoffs

Conclusion:  Phantom Growth, Illusory Profits

Calculated based on UtiliCorp Annual Reports to shareholders



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

Strategic Results

                                                     WR         UtiliCorp

   Four-year annualized total return to            12.4%           8.3%
   shareholders*

   Current bond ratings**                          A-/A3         BBB/Baa3

   1995 financial results***
     Total Debt/Total Capital                       47%            61%

     Payout ratio                                   74%            100%

     Return on average equity                      11.1%           8.4%

     *  Since completion of the March 31, 1992 KPL/KGE merger
    **  Source:  S&P's and Moody's published reports
   ***  Source:  1995 Annual Reports

Conclusion: Western Resources is a stronger company, a growing company and
a better strategic fit with KCPL



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

10 year savings (net)


                                        WR/KCPL          UCU/KCPL*
                                    ($ in Millions)   ($ in Millions)

   Generation

      Electric Dispatch                   $65                $107
      Capacity Deferrals                   57                 162
      Other Generation                    117                  46

   Field Operations                       106                  36
   Purchasing Economies (non-fuel)        239                  51

   Corporative & Administrative:

      Information Services                133                 109

      Other Administrative &
      General
        (net of costs to achieve)         326                 125

   TOTAL                               $1,043               $ 636

  *   Source:  UCU/KCPL Kansas Corporation Commission merger application



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

  The common-sense 
  combination

Synergies comparison to 
announced transactions

[Bar Graph]
Potential reductions
(% of Total Company)

Low 3.4%
Average 8.5%
High 11.0%
WR/KCPL 7.3%

[Bar Graph]
Nonfuel O&M
Savings -- Year 5
(% of Nonfuel
Expenses)

Low 5.0%
Average 9.5%
High 15.3%
WR/KCPL 10.7%

[Bar Graph]
Fuel Savings -- Year 5
(% of Fuel Expenses)

Low 0.0%
Average 1.0%
High 3.8%
WR/KCPL 1.2%

Information based on the last nine transactions
prior to WR/KCPL offer

Source:  Deloitte and Touche study of regulatory filings



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

Where do the savings go...

[Bar Graph]

WR/KCPL
$1,043 million

$310  Customers 30%
$250  Accelerated depreciation 24%
$88   Transaction costs 8%
$220  Add'l dividends to KCPL shareholders*  21%
$175  Retained earnings  17%

* Based on Western Resources' April 26, 1996 stock price and current annual
dividend levels.

[BAR Graph]

UCU/KCPL
$636 million

$225 Customers  35%
$250 Accelerated depreciation  39%
$ 30 Transaction costs 5%
$131 Retained earnings 21%



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

Combined company
financial forecast

                                 1998            1999            2000
 (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 Operating revenues            $2,663,371      $2,726,047     $2,799,694
 Operating expenses             2,193,688       2,241,227      2,316,283
 Transaction costs                 88,000              --             --
 Operating income                 381,683         484,820        483,411
 Other income and deductions       65,943          94,531        100,599
 Income before interest charges   447,626         579,351        584,010

 Interest charges                 216,531         210,379        206,877

 Net income                       231,095         368,972        377,133

 Preferred and preference dividends 1,129           1,129          1,129
 Earnings applicable to 
    common stock                 $229,966        $367,843       $376,004

 Average common shares 
    outstanding                   126,732         128,020        128,020
 Earnings per common share          $1.81           $2.87          $2.94
 Earnings per common share excluding
   costs to achieve savings and
   transaction costs                $2.64           $2.89          $2.94

 Dividends per share                $2.14           $2.18          $2.22

Projected dividends per share
  to KCPL shareholders
          Low                       $1.95           $1.98         $2.02
          High                      $2.11           $2.15         $2.19



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

Western Resources' offer
can succeed

     Critical Issue:  How does WR differ from
      failed attempts of others?

o    Western has offered what it believes is superior
     value from the start -- market premium and
     greater dividend accretion

o    KCPL has already agreed to a reorganization --
     UtiliCorp's competing bid offers no premium
     and smaller projected dividends

o    Western is taking its offer directly to KCPL
     shareholders

o    Western filed its regulatory plan the same day
     as it made its offer

o    Western Resources' regulatory plan is better for 
     customers



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

Projected merger timeline

o Western Resources definitive
  proxy and preliminary 
  exchange offer                        Mailed May 4

o KCPL shareholder vote
  rejected or postponed                 May 22

o Western exchange
  offer effective                       May 30 - June 30

o Western receives 90% +                After effective date
  KCPL stock tendered                   of exchange offer
          OR
o Western negotiates with
  KCPL Board                            ''        ''
          OR
o Western seeks removal of
  KCPL Board                            ''       ''

o Western completes merger              August 1997 -
  with KCPL                             December 1997



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

Summary

     To be able to take advantage of
     what we believe is the 
     financially superior Western
     Resources merger offer --

     Vote "AGAINST"  the UtiliCorp
     deal on the BLUE proxy card.

A registration statement relating to the Western Resources securities
referred to in this letter has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission but has not yet become effective.  Such securities may not be
sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration
statement becomes effective.  This letter shall not constitute an offer to
sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of
these securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale
would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the
securities laws of any such state.



  Western
  Resources(r)
     and
     KCPL

The common-sense 
combination

Contacts

Georgeson & Company, Inc.
Wall Street Plaza
New York, New York  10005
800-223-2064

Rick Kready
Western Resources
818 Kansas Avenue
Topeka, Kansas 66612
913-575-8226

The preceding material contains forecasts, projections, and other forward-
looking statements, that are based on the unaudited forecasted financial
data included in Western Resources' preliminary prospectus dated April 22,
1996, with respect to the exchange offer.  All such information is subject
to the assumptions and variables described in the preliminary prospectus.