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               KANSAS CITY POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY
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                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) 
 
                    WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
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                   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement) 
 
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     WESTERN RESOURCES FILES MERGER APPLICATION WITH PSC; 
     MERGER OFFERS BETTER DEAL FOR ALL
     
     
         TOPEKA, Kansas, May 3, 1996 -- Western Resources today filed an 
     application with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking 
     approval to merge with Kansas City Power & Light (KCPL).  The 
     application also requests the Missouri PSC reject the proposed merger 
     of UtiliCorp and KCPL.

        "We are asking the Missouri PSC to approve the merger that we 
     believe would be the best for customers, shareholders, and employees 
     -- a Western Resources/KCPL combination.  Our long-term business plan 
     is one based on customer driven benefits, as well as expansion and 
     growth, not retrenchment," said John E. Hayes, Jr., Western Resources 
     chairman of the board and chief executive officer.  "Our merger 
     results in about $400 million more in savings over 10 years than the 
     UtiliCorp transaction."

        If a Western Resources merger is approved, customers would benefit 
     from the combination, which would create an $8.3 billion energy 
     company with the financial strength to provide lower, stable rates and 
     superior service.  KCPL customers in Missouri would experience rate 
     reductions 30% greater than the reductions under the UtiliCorp deal.
     Western Resources also pledged a five-year rate freeze after the merger
     is completed.

        Western Resources' application details the financial terms of the 
     merger offer, including higher dividends and a better share price to 
     KCPL shareholders.  

        "Based on our experience with the 1992 merger of KPL and Kansas Gas 
     and Electric (KGE)," said Hayes, "we're confident our savings 
     projections are on target, the benefits to shareholders are real, and 
     our offer is better than UtiliCorp's."

        Hayes also said Western Resources commits to not laying off any 
     Western Resources or KCPL employees as a result of the merger.  "We're 
     proud of the fact we achieved our savings targets in our previous 
     merger without laying off any KPL or KGE employees.  We are committed 
     to doing the same in this merger."  

        On April 14, Western Resources proposed a merger with KCPL that 
     would produce more than $1 billion in cost savings.  The merger would 
     be a tax-free stock exchange transaction offering increased annual 
     dividends and a premium over market price for KCPL shareholders, 
     earnings improvement for Western Resources and KCPL shareholders, and 
     lower rates for customers.  
     
        Western Resources (NYSE:WR) is a diversified energy company. Its 
     utilities, KPL and KGE, operating in Kansas and Oklahoma, provide 
     natural gas service to approximately 650,000 customers and electric 
     service to approximately 600,000 customers. Through its subsidiaries, 
     Westar Business Services, Westar Consumer Services, Westar Capital, and 
     The Wing Group, energy-related products and services are developed and 
     marketed in the continental U.S., and offshore.

        For more information about Western Resources and its operating 
     companies, visit us on the Internet at http://www.wstnres.com. 
      
     
     
SHARES OF KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY ("KCPL")
COMMON STOCK HELD BY WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. ("WESTERN RESOURCES"),  ITS
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CERTAIN EMPLOYEES, OTHER 
REPRESENTATIVES OF WESTERN RESOURCES AND CERTAIN OTHER PERSONS WHO MAY SOLICIT
PROXIES, AND CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN ANY OF THEM AND KCPL
     
        Western Resources may solicit proxies against the KCPL/UtiliCorp 
     United Inc. merger.  The participants in this solicitation may include 
     Western Resources, the directors of Western Resources (Frank J. 
     Becker, Gene A. Budig, C.Q. Chandler, Thomas R. Clevenger, John C. 
     Dicus, John E. Hayes, Jr., David H. Hughes, Russell W. Meyer, Jr., 
     John H. Robinson, Louis W. Smith, Susan M. Stanton, Kenneth J. Wagnon 
     and David C. Wittig), and the following executive officers and 
     employees of Western Resources or its subsidiaries:  Steven L. Kitchen 
     (E.V.P. and C.F.O.), Carl M. Koupal, Jr. (E.V.P. and CAO), John K. 
     Rosenberg (E.V.P. and G.C.), Jerry D. Courington (Controller), James 
     T. Clark (V.P.), William G. Eliason (V.P.), Thomas L. Grennan (V.P.), 
     Richard M. Haden (E.V.P.), Norman E. Jackson (E.V.P.), James A. Martin 
     (V.P.), Hans E. Mertens (V.P.), Carl A. Ricketts (V.P.), David E. Roth 
     (V.P.), Mark A. Ruelle (V.P.), Edward H. Schaub (V.P.), Thomas E. Shea 
     (Treasurer), Richard D. Terrill (Secretary), William B. Moore 
     (President, KGE), Steven A. Millstein (President, Westar Consumer), 
     Rita A. Sharpe (V.P., Westar Business), Kenneth T. Wymore (President, 
     Westar Business), C. Bob Cline (President, Westar Capital), Fred M. 
     Bryan (President, KPL), Roderick S.  Donovan (V.P., Westar Gas 
     Marketing), Catherine A. Forbes, Hal L. Jensen, Lisa A. Walsh, Donald 
     W. Bartling, Michael L. Faler, Clyde R. Hill, Leroy P. Wages, David R. 
     Phelps, Wayne Kitchen, Glen A. Scott, Jr., Kelly B. Harrison, Marcus 
     J. Ramirez, Anita J. Hunt, Ira W. McKee, Jr., Michael D. Clark 
     (Controller, Westar Business), Douglas J. Henry, Annette M. Beck, C.W. 
     Underkofler, Carol E. Deason, James N. Wishart, Gregory M. Wright, 
     Richard D. Kready, Michel' J. Philipp, Greg A. Greenwood, Carolyn A. 
     Starkey, Bruce A. Akin, James J. Ludwig, Bruce R. Burns, Kelly D. 
     Foley, Robin D. Brown, Rechell L. Smith, Shari L. Gentry, Gay V. 
     Crawford, Susan K. Reese, Don W. Whitlock, Denise A Schumaker, Duane 
     D. Goertz, Robert J. Knott, Judith A. Wilt and Lori A. Finney.
     
        As of April 19, 1996, Western Resources had no security holdings in 
     KCPL.  Robert L. Rives, a person who will solicit proxies, is the 
     beneficial owner of 500 shares of common stock, no par value, of KCPL 
     (the "KCPL Common Stock").  Western Resources director Susan M. 
     Stanton serves as co-trustee of two trusts, which beneficially own 
     7,900 shares of KCPL Common Stock.  No trading activity has occurred 
     with respect to any of such stock during the last two years.  Western 
     Resources director C.Q. Chandler is Chairman of the board of directors 
     of INTRUST Financial Corporation.  INTRUST Bank, a subsidiary of 
     INTRUST Financial Corporation, holds in ten trust accounts an 
     aggregate of 5,468 shares of KCPL Common Stock.  Wayne Kitchen is the 
     beneficial owner of 400 shares of KCPL Common Stock.
     
        Other than as set forth, herein, as of the date of this news 
     release, neither Western Resources nor any of its directors, executive 
     officers or other representatives or employees of Western Resources, 
     or other persons known to Western Resources, who may solicit proxies 
     has any security holdings in KCPL.  Western Resources disclaims 
     beneficial ownership of any securities of KCPL held by any pension 
     plan of Western Resources or by any affiliate of Western Resources.
     
        Although Salomon Brothers Inc, financial advisors to Western 
     Resources, do not admit that they or any of their directors, officers, 
     employees or affiliates are a "participant," as defined in Schedule 
     14A promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by the 
     Securities and Exchange Commission, or that such Schedule 14A requires 
     the disclosure of certain information concerning Salomon Brothers Inc, 
     Gregg S. Polle (Managing Director), Arthur H. Tildesley, Jr. 
     (Director), Terence G. Kawaja (Vice President) and Anthony R. 
     Whittemore (Associate), in each case of Salomon Brothers Inc, may 
     assist Western Resources in such a solicitation.  Salomon Brothers Inc 
     engages in a full range of investment banking, securities trading, 
     market-making and brokerage services for institutional and individual 
     clients.  In the normal course of their business, Salomon Brothers Inc 
     may trade securities of KCPL for their own account and the account of 
     their customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short 
     position in such securities.  As of April 19, 1996, Salomon Brothers 
     Inc did not hold any securities of KCPL.
     
        Except as disclosed above, to the knowledge of Western Resources, 
     none of Western Resources, the directors or executive officers of 
     Western Resources or the employees or other representatives of Western 
     Resources named above has any interest, direct or indirect, by 
     security holdings or otherwise, in KCPL.
     
        A registration statement relating to the Western Resources 
     securities referred to in this news release 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 
     news release 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.