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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
          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:

     (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:

                              ####
                                

[Article for May 6, 1996 issue of LightLines, a newsletter for
all active and retired KCPL employees]


      HAVE A SAY IN YOUR COMPANY'S FUTURE; VOTE YOUR PROXY

     As KCPL shareholders, employees have the opportunity to help
determine the company's future. You're being asked to participate
in that decision by voting your proxy as soon as possible and
before the upcoming shareholders' meeting scheduled for May 22.

     As a shareholder, you should have received a white proxy
card from KCPL through the mail. In fact, you should have
received two white proxy cards by now. The proxy card asks you to
vote on five separate issues. To vote FOR the merger with
UtiliCorp United, just mark the "FOR" box. After you sign and
date the card, return it in the enclosed envelope.

     The proxy process can be confusing, especially in light of
Western Resources' attempt to derail the KCPL-UCU merger. Here
are a few commonly asked questions about the proxy process that
we hope will help clear up any misunderstandings.

Q:   I've already signed and sent in my proxy. I don't want to
     change my vote, so do I need to send another proxy vote?

A:   If you do not wish to change your vote, you do not need to
     send in another proxy. The proxy with the date closest to
     the date of the shareholders' meeting will be used as your
     final vote.

Q:   I sent in my proxy earlier, but I've decided I want to
     change my vote.  What happens when I send in another proxy?

A:   If you have decided to change your vote, simply mark the
     appropriate box, sign and send in another proxy card. Your
     first vote will be disregarded.

Q:   What is Western Resources asking KCPL shareholders to vote
     on?

A:   Western is asking you to vote against the KCPL-UCU merger.
     Their proxy card does not give you an opportunity to vote
     for any type of future business deal with Western Resources.

Q:   What should I do if I receive a proxy from Western
     Resources?

A:   If you do not wish to vote against the KCPL-UCU merger,
     simply discard all materials you receive from Western
     Resources.

Q:   If I don't respond to Western's proxy, will that count as a
     vote against the merger with UCU?

A:   No. If you do not use the proxy card sent by Western
     Resources (printed on paper other than white), your vote on
     the white KCPL proxy card will be used.

Q:   What happens if I send in the colored card voting against
     Western and the white card voting for UCU?

A:   Only the last card received counts. So, if you want to vote
     FOR UCU, send in the white card ONLY.

     Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity to vote on
your company's future. Your input in this way represents the
ultimate employee involvement.

     If you have additional questions about voting your proxy,
feel free to contact any executive or business manager.

[end of article]

                                #####

[Press release issued May 6, 1996]            
            
            KCPL AND UTILICORP INTEND TO RECOMMEND
           $1.85 INITIAL DIVIDEND FOR MERGED COMPANY

  Rate Represents 18.6 Percent Increase for KCPL Shareholders
       and 15.2 Percent Boost for UtiliCorp Shareholders


     KANSAS CITY, MO, May 6, 1996  --  Kansas City Power &
Light Company (NYSE: KLT) and UtiliCorp United (NYSE: UCU)
today announced their intention to recommend an initial
annualized dividend rate of $1.85 per share for the new
company that will result from their pending merger of equals.
     
     Currently, UtiliCorp's dividend is $1.76 per share and
KCPL's is $1.56 per share.  The announced dividend rate for
the merged company represents an 18.6 percent increase for
KCPL shareholders and a 15.2 percent boost, after adjustment
for the exchange ratio, for UtiliCorp shareholders. Under the
terms of the friendly merger entered into between the two
companies on January 19, 1996, shareholders of KCPL will
receive one share of stock in the new company for each share
of KCPL common stock owned, and holders of UtiliCorp common
stock will receive 1.096 shares of stock in the new company
for each common share of UtiliCorp owned.
     
     "This dividend rate is based on a credible and well-
documented analysis," said Richard C. Green, Jr., Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of UtiliCorp.  "We believe
shareholders will find it fair, prudent and attractive. The
$1.85 rate is further confirmation of our belief in the strong
growth potential of our combined operation."
     
     "KCPL and UtiliCorp have put together an agreement that
is readily achievable, can pass regulatory scrutiny, has
credible numbers to back it up, and makes thorough strategic
sense for our customers, shareholders, employees and
communities," added Drue Jennings, Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of KCPL.  "This dividend rate fits
that picture perfectly, and we believe shareholders will have
recognized that fact when the votes are counted on May 22.  We
expect the UtiliCorp/KCPL combination will be strongly

                           - more -
Dividend, page 2


positioned to continue delivering above-average returns to our
shareholders."

     The chief executives of the two Kansas City-based firms
said their companies' agreement to merge is based on a shared
vision and is a strategic response to the new competitive dynamics
of the utility industry.  The merger will create a unique type of
company -- one with the customer focus and growth characteristics
of a diversified energy services provider, underpinned by the
operating and financial strengths of its core utility business.

     Over the next 10 years the merger is expected to produce
cost savings and efficiencies totaling more than $600 million,
reduced rates for utility customers and increased
opportunities for employees.
     
     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 a leader in
fuel procurement and plant technology.  KLT Inc., a wholly-
owned subsidiary of KCPL, pursues opportunities in non-
regulated, primarily energy-related ventures.

     UtiliCorp United is an international electric and gas
company with energy customers and operations across the U.S.
and in Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia and
Jamaica.  In 1995 it launched EnergyOneSM, the first
nationally branded line of products and services for electric
and gas utility customers.  UtiliCorp has grown rapidly over
the past decade through utility mergers and acquisitions and
by starting non-regulated energy-related businesses.

                              ###
                               
MEDIA CONTACTS:                            INVESTOR CONTACTS:

KCPL:          
        Pam Levetzow -- 816-556-2926       David Myers -- 816-556-2312
        Phyllis Desbien -- 816-556-2903    Andrea Bielsker -- 816-556-2595

UtiliCorp:     
        Jerry Cosley -- 816-467-3677       Dale Wolf -- 816-467-3536
        Media Relations -- 816-467-3000    Ellen Fairchild -- 816-467-3506

[end of press release]

                                #####

[Letter to KCPL shareholders]

[KCPL Letterhead]
                                
           THE  KCPL/UTILICORP MERGER JUST GOT BETTER
                                                                 
                                                     May  6, 1996
                                                                 
                                                                 
DEAR SHAREHOLDER:

      KCPL  and  its  future  partner,  UtiliCorp  United,  Inc.,
announced   today  their  intention  to  recommend   an   initial
annualized  dividend rate of $1.85 per share upon  completion  of
their merger of equals.  This is an increase of approximately 19%
over KCPL's current dividend rate.*

In addition:

     -    The increased dividend is only the beginning.  The strategic
       combination  of  KCPL and UtiliCorp will create  a  strong
       international energy company with diversified business lines
       properly positioned for significant future earnings growth.

     -    The merger combines the strengths of both companies to form
       a new growth  company, fully prepared to compete effectively in
       the deregulated utility industry.  This means greater value for
       shareholders over both the near and long term, and greater safety
       in your dividend income stream.

     -    The merger is a friendly combination designed to distribute
       benefits equitably between shareholders and customers.  We are
       confident it will receive all required regulatory approvals.

                        DON'T  BE  MISLED

      As  you know, Western Resources doesn't want you to approve
the  KCPL/UtiliCorp merger.  Between now and our Annual  Meeting,
we  fully  expect Western to continue its barrage of flawed  (and
ever changing) promises of greater value, all in an effort to get
you  to  vote  against  the  merger  with  UtiliCorp.  There  are
significant  conditions  to  Western's  proposal,  and  a  merger
proposal  or  exchange  offer that can't be  completed  is  worth
nothing.

Remember:

     -     Western's exchange offer is conditioned on your  Board
       approving a transaction that  it does not support.

     -     Western's offer requires that at least 90%  of  KCPL's
       outstanding shares be tendered to Western and accepted for
       exchange.

     -    No hostile offer for a public utility has ever succeeded.

     Ask yourself what the chances are that a combination of KCPL
and  Western is going to happen.  We are sure you will agree  the
KCPL/UtiliCorp  merger is the best and only  real  choice  before
you.

                        IT'S  UP  TO  YOU

      The  merger of KCPL and UtiliCorp requires a YES vote  from
holders of two-thirds of KCPL's outstanding shares -- a difficult
voting  threshold even without Western's confusing rhetoric.   In
short, the merger will not happen without your vote.  Don't  miss
out  on  the  chance to create a strong new company with  greater
opportunities for growth in revenue, income and value for you.

      Vote  FOR the KCPL/UtiliCorp merger by signing, dating  and
mailing  the enclosed WHITE proxy TODAY.  The Annual  Meeting  is
scheduled for May 22, so it is important to act without delay.

     Thank you.

                              Sincerely,

                              /s/Drue Jennings

                              DRUE JENNINGS
                              Chairman of the Board, President and
                              Chief Executive Officer

                            IMPORTANT
Please  make sure your latest dated proxy is a WHITE card  voting
FOR the KCPL/UtiliCorp merger (proposal #1).  Failure to return a
proxy will have the same effect as a vote against the merger.  If
you  have  any questions or need assistance in voting  your  KCPL
shares,  please  call D. F. King & Co., Inc.  at  (800)  714-3312
(toll-free).


* The dividend policy of the combined company will be determined,
from  time to time, by the combined company's board of directors,
taking  into  consideration  the combined  company's  results  of
operations, financial condition, capital requirements  and  other
relevant considerations, including regulatory considerations.

[end of shareholder letter]

                                #####

[press release issued May 6, 1996]
                                
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

   KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY ANNOUNCES KCPL/UTILICORP INTEND
        TO RECOMMEND $1.85 INITIAL DIVIDEND FOR MERGED COMPANY
                                   
     Kansas City, Missouri (May 6, 1996) -- Kansas City Power &
Light Company (NYSE: KLT) in a letter to KCPL shareholders from
Drue Jennings, KCPL Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer announced today that KCPL and UtiliCorp United (NYSE:
UCU) intend to recommend an initial annualized dividend rate of
$1.85 per share upon completion of their merger of equals.  This
is an increase of approximately 19% over KCPL's current dividend
rate.  Attached is the text of the correspondence sent to KCPL
shareholders.

     DEAR SHAREHOLDER:

        KCPL and its future partner, UtiliCorp United, Inc.,
     announced today their intention to recommend an initial
     annualized dividend rate of $1.85 per share upon completion of
     their merger of equals.  This is an increase of approximately
     19% over KCPL's current dividend rate.*
    
     In addition:
     
          -     The increased dividend is only the beginning.  The
                strategic combination of KCPL and UtiliCorp will
                create a strong international energy company with
                diversified business lines properly positioned for
                significant future earnings growth.
          
          
                                - more -
          
            
          -     The merger combines the strengths of both companies to
                form a new growth company, fully prepared to compete
                effectively in the deregulated utility industry.  This
                means greater value for shareholders over both the near
                and long term, and greater safety in your dividend income
                stream.
          
          -     The merger is a friendly combination designed to distribute
                benefits equitably between shareholders and customers.  We
                are confident it will receive all required regulatory
                approvals.

                              DON'T BE MISLED
               
          As you know, Western Resources doesn't want you to approve
     the KCPL/UtiliCorp merger.  Between now and our Annual Meeting,
     we fully expect Western to continue its barrage of flawed (and
     ever changing) promises of greater value, all in an effort to get
     you to vote against the merger with UtiliCorp.  There are
     significant conditions to Western's proposal, and a merger
     proposal or exchange offer that can't be completed is worth
     nothing.
    
     Remember:
       
          -     Western 's exchange offer is conditioned on your Board
                approving a transaction that it does not support.
          
          -     Western's offer requires that at least 90% of KCPL's
                outstanding shares be tendered to Western and accepted
                for exchange.
          
          -     No hostile offer for a public utility has ever succeeded.
       
          Ask yourself what the chances are that a combination of KCPL
     and Western is going to happen.  We are sure you will agree the
     KCPL/UtiliCorp merger is the best and only real choice before
     you.
          
                                - more -
     
                            IT'S UP TO YOU
     
          The merger of KCPL and UtiliCorp requires a YES vote from
     holders of two-thirds of KCPL's outstanding shares -- a difficult
     voting threshold even without Western's confusing rhetoric.  In
     short, the merger will not happen without your vote.  Don't miss
     out on the chance to create a strong new company with greater
     opportunities for growth in revenue, income and value for you.
     
          Vote FOR the KCPL/UtiliCorp merger by signing, dating and
     mailing the enclosed WHITE proxy TODAY.  The Annual Meeting is
     scheduled for May 22, so it is important to act without delay.
    
          Thank you.
     
                                   Sincerely,
                              
                                   /s/ Drue Jennings
                              
                                   DRUE JENNINGS
                                   Chairman of the Board, President and
                                   Chief Executive Officer
     
    *The dividend policy of the combined company will be determined,
     from time to time, by the combined company's board of directors,
     taking into consideration the combined company's results of
     operations, financial condition, capital requirements and other
     relevant considerations, including regulatory considerations.

[end of press release]

                                #####