<PAGE>

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

                             FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                              Dated as of April 1, 1997


                                       Between


                          KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

                                         and

                          THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO

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

<PAGE>
                                      ARTICLE I
                                     DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.1.  DEFINITION OF TERMS..............................................2
SECTION 1.2.  INTERPRETATION...................................................3

                                      ARTICLE II
                          GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
                            THE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

SECTION 2.1.  DESIGNATION AND PRINCIPAL AMOUNT.................................4
SECTION 2.2.  MATURITY.........................................................4
SECTION 2.3.  FORM AND PAYMENT.................................................4
SECTION 2.4.  GLOBAL SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE....................................4
SECTION 2.5.  INTEREST.........................................................5

                                     ARTICLE III
                      REDEMPTION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

SECTION 3.1.  TAX EVENT REDEMPTION.............................................7
SECTION 3.2.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY COMPANY...................................7
SECTION 3.3.  NO SINKING FUND..................................................8

                                      ARTICLE IV
                         EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

SECTION 4.1.  EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD.............................8
SECTION 4.2.  NOTICE OF EXTENSION..............................................9

                                      ARTICLE V
                                       EXPENSES

SECTION 5.1.  PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.............................................10

                                      ARTICLE VI
                                    SUBORDINATION

SECTION 6.1.  AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE........................................11
SECTION 6.2.  DEFAULT ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS..................................11
SECTION 6.3.  LIQUIDATION; DISSOLUTION; BANKRUPTCY............................12

                                         -i-

<PAGE>

SECTION 6.4.  SUBROGATION.....................................................13
SECTION 6.5.  TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION.............................15
SECTION 6.6.  NOTICE BY THE COMPANY...........................................15
SECTION 6.7.  RIGHTS OF THE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS OF SENIOR
               INDEBTEDNESS...................................................16
SECTION 6.8.  SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED...............................16

                                     ARTICLE VII
                             COVENANT TO LIST ON EXCHANGE

SECTION 7.1.  LISTING ON EXCHANGE.............................................17

                                     ARTICLE VIII
                            FORM OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE

SECTION 8.1.  FORM OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE..................................17

                                      ARTICLE IX
                      ORIGINAL ISSUE OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

SECTION 9.1.  ORIGINAL ISSUE OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES.......................27

                                      ARTICLE X
                                    MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 10.1.  RATIFICATION OF INDENTURE......................................27
SECTION 10.2.  TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS...........................27
SECTION 10.3.  GOVERNING LAW..................................................27
SECTION 10.4.  SEPARABILITY...................................................27
SECTION 10.5.  COUNTERPARTS...................................................28

                                         -ii-

<PAGE>

           THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of April ___, 1997 
(the "FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE"), between Kansas City Power & Light   
Company, a Missouri corporation (the "Company"), and The First National     
Bank of Chicago, a national banking association, duly organized and     
existing under the laws of the United States as trustee (the "Trustee")     
under the Indenture dated as of April 1, 1997 between the Company and the     
Trustee (the "Indenture").

                                 W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, the Company executed and delivered the Indenture to the
Trustee to provide for the future issuance of the Company's unsecured
subordinated debt securities, to be issued from time to time in one or more
series as might be determined by the Company under the Indenture, in an
unlimited aggregate principal amount which may be authenticated and delivered as
provided in the Indenture; and

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires
to provide for the establishment of a new series of its Debt Securities to be
known as its 8.3% Junior Subordinated Deferrable Interest Debentures due March
31, 2037 (the "Subordinated Debentures"), the form and substance of which and
the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the
Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture; and

         WHEREAS, KCPL Financing I, a Delaware statutory business trust (the
"Trust"), has offered to the public $150,000,000 aggregate stated liquidation
amount of its Trust Originated Preferred Securities (the "Preferred Securities")
and has offered to the Company $4,640,000 aggregate stated liquidation amount of
its Trust Originated Common Securities (the "Common Securities"), such Preferred
Securities and Common Securities representing undivided beneficial interests in
the assets of the Trust, and proposes to invest the proceeds from such offering
in $154,640,000 aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures; and

         WHEREAS, the Company has requested the Trustee to execute and deliver
this First Supplemental Indenture, and all requirements necessary to make this
First Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument, in accordance with its terms,
and to make the Subordinated Debentures, when executed by the Company and
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the valid obligations of the
Company, have been performed, and the execution and delivery of this First
Supplemental Indenture has been duly authorized in all respects;

<PAGE>

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the purchase and acceptance of the
Subordinated Debentures by the holders thereof, and for the purpose of setting
forth, as provided in the Indenture, the form and substance of the Subordinated
Debentures and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof, the Company
covenants and agrees with the Trustee as follows:


                                      ARTICLE I

                                     DEFINITIONS

         SECTION 1.1.  DEFINITION OF TERMS.  Unless the context otherwise
requires, (a) a term defined in the Indenture has the same meaning when used in
this First Supplemental Indenture; (b)  a term defined anywhere in this First
Supplemental Indenture has the same meaning throughout; and (c) the following
terms have the meanings given to them in the Declaration: (i) Clearing Agency;
(ii) Delaware Trustee; (iii) Redemption Tax Opinion; (iv) Preferred Security
Certificate; (v) Property Trustee; (vi) Pro Rata; (vii) Regular Trustees; and
(viii) Tax Event.

         In addition, the following terms have the following respective
meanings: 

DECLARATION:

         The term "Declaration" shall mean the Amended and Restated Declaration
of Trust of KCPL Financing I, a Delaware business trust, dated as of April 15,
1997.

MATURITY DATE:

         The term "Maturity Date" shall mean the date on which the Subordinated
Debentures mature and on which the principal shall be due and payable together
with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon including Compounded Interest (as
defined in Section 4.1) and Additional Interest (as defined in Section 2.5(c)),
if any.

SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS:

         The term "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean (i) any payment in respect
of (A) indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness
evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds, notes or other similar instruments
issued by the Company including, without limitation, indebtedness evidenced by
securities issued pursuant to the General Mortgage Indenture

                                         -2-


<PAGE>

and Deed of Trust dated as of December 1, 1986, from the Company to United
Missouri Bank of Kansas City, N.A., as trustee, as supplemented and amended from
time to time; and the Indentures dated as of April 1, 1991, February 15, 1992,
November 15, 1992, November 1, 1994 and December 1, 1994, between the Company
and The Bank of New York, as trustee; (ii) all capital lease obligations of the
Company; (iii) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred
purchase price of property, all conditional sale obligations of the Company and
all of its obligations under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade
accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all
obligations of the Company for reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker's
acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction; (v) all
obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) of other Persons
for the payment of which the Company is responsible or liable as obligor,
guarantor or otherwise; and (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in
clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons secured by any lien on any property or
asset of the Company (whether or not such obligation is assumed by the Company),
except for (1) any such indebtedness that is by its terms subordinated to or
pari passu with the Subordinated Debentures, as the case may be, including all
other debt securities and guarantees in respect of those debt securities, issued
to any other trusts, partnerships or any other entity affiliated with the
Company which is a financing vehicle of the Company ("Financing Entity") in
connection with an issuance of preferred securities by such Financing Entity or
other securities which rank pari passu with, or junior to, the Preferred
Securities, and (2) any indebtedness between or among the Company and its
Affiliates.

         SECTION 1.2.  INTERPRETATION.  Each definition in this First
Supplemental Indenture includes the singular and the plural, and references to
the neuter gender include the masculine and feminine where appropriate.  Terms
which relate to accounting matters shall be interpreted in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time. 
References to any statute mean such statute as amended at the time and include
any successor legislation.  The word "or" is not exclusive, and the words
"herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" refer to this First Supplemental Indenture as
a whole.  The headings to the Articles and Sections are for convenience of
reference and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this First
Supplemental Indenture.  References to Articles and Sections mean the Articles
and Sections of this First Supplemental Indenture unless otherwise specified.  

                                         -3-


<PAGE>

                                      ARTICLE II

                           GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
                             THE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES


         SECTION 2.1.  DESIGNATION AND PRINCIPAL AMOUNT.  There is hereby
authorized a series of Debt Securities designated the "8.3% Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures due March 31, 2037," limited in aggregate
principal amount to $154,640,000, which amount shall be as set forth in any
written order of the Company for the authentication and delivery of such Debt
Securities pursuant to Section 2.04 of the Indenture.

         SECTION 2.2.  MATURITY.  The Maturity Date will be March 31, 2037,
provided that the Company may at its option change the Maturity Date to an
earlier date not earlier than March 31, 2002, and shall give notice of any such
change to the Trustee not later than 120 days prior to such changed Maturity
Date, and give prompt notice of such change to the holders of the Subordinated
Debentures.

         SECTION 2.3.  FORM AND PAYMENT.  Except as provided in Section 2.4,
the Subordinated Debentures shall be issued in fully registered certificated
form without interest coupons.  Principal and interest on the Subordinated
Debentures issued in certificated form will be payable, the transfer of such
Subordinated Debentures will be registrable and such Subordinated Debentures
will be exchangeable for Subordinated Debentures bearing identical terms and
provisions at the office or agency of the Trustee in Chicago, Illinois,
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the
Company by check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear
in the Security Register.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the
registered holder of any Subordinated Debentures is the Property Trustee, the
payment of the principal of and interest (including Compounded Interest and
Additional Interest, if any) on such Subordinated Debentures held by the
Property Trustee will be made at such place and to such account as may be
designated by the Property Trustee.

         SECTION 2.4.  GLOBAL SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE.  In connection with the
dissolution of the Trust:

         (a)  the Subordinated Debentures in certificated form may be presented
    to the Trustee by the Property Trustee in exchange for a Global Security in
    an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the

                                         -4-


<PAGE>

    Subordinated Debentures so presented, to be registered in the name of the
    Depositary, or its nominee, and delivered by the Trustee to the 
    Depositary for crediting to the accounts of its participants pursuant to 
    the instructions of the Regular Trustees.  The Company, upon any such 
    presentation, shall execute a Global Security in such aggregate principal 
    amount and deliver the same to the Trustee for authentication and 
    delivery in accordance with the Indenture and this First Supplemental 
    Indenture. Payments on the Subordinated Debentures issued as a Global 
    security will be made to the Depositary; and

         (b)  if any Preferred Securities are held in non book-entry
    certificated form, the Subordinated Debentures in certificated form may be
    presented to the Trustee by the Property Trustee and any Preferred Security
    Certificate which represents Preferred Securities other than Preferred
    Securities held by the Clearing Agency or its nominee ("Non Book-Entry
    Preferred Securities") will be deemed to represent beneficial interests in
    Subordinated Debentures presented to the Trustee by the Property Trustee
    having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated
    liquidation amount of the Non Book-Entry Preferred Securities until such
    Preferred Security Certificates are presented to the Security Registrar for
    transfer or reissuance at which time such Preferred Security Certificates
    will be cancelled and a Subordinated Debenture, registered in the name of
    the holder of the Preferred Security Certificate or the transferee of the
    holder of such Preferred Security Certificate, as the case may be, with an
    aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate stated liquidation amount
    of the Preferred Security Certificate cancelled, will be executed by the
    Company and delivered to the Trustee for authentication and delivery in
    accordance with the Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture.  On
    issue of such Subordinated Debentures, Subordinated Debentures with an
    equivalent aggregate principal amount that were presented by the Property
    Trustee to the Trustee will be deemed to have been cancelled.

         SECTION 2.5.  INTEREST.

         (a)  Each Subordinated Debenture will bear interest at the rate of
8.3% per annum (the "Coupon Rate") from the original date of issuance until the
principal thereof becomes due and payable, and on any overdue principal and (to
the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on
any overdue installment of interest at the Coupon Rate, compounded quarterly,
payable (subject to the provisions of

                                         -5-


<PAGE>

Article IV) quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December
31 of each year (each, an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on June 30, 1997,
to the Person in whose name such Subordinated Debenture or any predecessor
Subordinated Debenture is registered, at the close of business on the regular
record date for such interest installment, which shall be the close of business
on the Business Day next preceding that Interest Payment Date.  If pursuant to
the provisions of Section 2.11(c) of the Indenture the Subordinated Debentures
are no longer represented by a Global Security, the Company may select a regular
record date for such interest installment which shall be any date at least
fifteen days before an Interest Payment Date.

         (b)  The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  In the event that any date
on which interest is payable on the Subordinated Debentures is not a Business
Day, then payment of interest payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other
payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in
the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date.  The amount of interest payable for any period shorter than a full
quarterly period for which interest is computed, will be computed on the basis
of the actual number of days elapsed in such a 90-day quarter.

         (c)  If at any time while the Property Trustee is the holder of any
Subordinated Debentures, the Trust or the Property Trustee is required to pay
any taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (other
than withholding taxes) imposed by the United States, or any other taxing
authority, then, in any case, the Company will pay as additional interest
("Additional Interest") on the Subordinated Debentures held by the Property
Trustee, such additional amounts as shall be required so that the net amounts
received and retained by the Trust and the Property Trustee after paying such
taxes, duties, assessments or other governmental charges will be equal to the
amounts the Trust and the Property Trustee would have received had no such
taxes, duties, assessments or other government charges been imposed.

                                         -6-


<PAGE>

                                     ARTICLE III

                      REDEMPTION OF THE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

         SECTION 3.1.  TAX EVENT REDEMPTION.  If a Tax Event has occurred and
is continuing and the Company has received a Redemption Tax Opinion, then,
notwithstanding Section 3.2(a) but subject to Section 3.2(b), the Company shall
have the right upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' notice to the
registered holders of the Subordinated Debentures to redeem the Subordinated
Debentures, in whole but not in part, for cash within 90 days following the
occurrence of such Tax Event (the "90 Day Period") at a redemption price equal
to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed plus any accrued and unpaid
interest thereon to the date of such redemption (the "Redemption Price")
PROVIDED THAT, if at the time there is available to the Company the opportunity
to eliminate, within the 90 Day Period, the Tax Event by taking some ministerial
action ("Ministerial Action"), such as filing a form or making an election, or
pursuing some other similar reasonable measure that has no adverse effect on the
Company, the Trust or the Holders of the Trust Securities issued by the Trust,
the Company shall pursue such Ministerial Action in lieu of redemption; and
PROVIDED FURTHER, that the Company shall have no right to redeem the
Subordinated Debentures while the Trust is pursuing any Ministerial Action
pursuant to its obligations under the Declaration.  The Redemption Price shall
be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time, on the date of such redemption or at
such earlier time as the Company determines and specifies in the notice of
redemption, provided the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount
sufficient to pay the Special Redemption Price by 11:00 a.m. on the date such
Redemption Price is to be paid.

         SECTION 3.2.  OPTIONAL REDEMPTION BY COMPANY.

         (a)  Subject to the provisions of Article III of the Indenture and to
Section 3.2(b), the Company shall have the right to redeem the Subordinated
Debentures, in whole or in part, from time to time, on or after  March 31, 2002,
at the Redemption Price.  Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph will be made
upon not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' notice to the registered
holder of the Subordinated Debentures, at the Redemption Price.  If the
Subordinated Debentures are only partially redeemed pursuant to this Section
3.2, the Subordinated Debentures will be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by any
other method utilized by the Trustee; PROVIDED, that if at the time of
redemption, the Subordinated Debentures are registered as a Global Security, the
Depositary shall determine by lot the

                                         -7-


<PAGE>

principal amount of such Subordinated Debentures held by each holder to be
redeemed.  The Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York
time, on the date of such redemption or at such earlier time as the Company
determines and specifies in the notice of redemption, provided the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee an amount sufficient to pay the Redemption Price by
11:00 a.m. on the date such Redemption Price is to be paid.

         (b)  If a partial redemption of the Subordinated Debentures would
result in the delisting of the Preferred Securities issued by the Trust from any
national securities exchange or other organization on which the Preferred
Securities are then listed, the Company shall not be permitted to effect such
partial redemption and may only redeem the Subordinated Debentures in whole.

         SECTION 3.3.  NO SINKING FUND.  The Subordinated Debentures are not
entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.


                                      ARTICLE IV

                         EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD

         SECTION 4.1.  EXTENSION OF INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD.  The Company shall
have the right, at any time and from time to time during the term of the
Subordinated Debentures, to extend the interest payment period of such
Subordinated Debentures for up to twenty (20) consecutive quarters (the
"Extended Interest Payment Period"); provided, that, during any such Extended
Interest Payment Period, (a) the Company may not declare or pay any dividend on,
make any distributions with respect to, or redeem, purchase or acquire, or make
a liquidation payment with respect to, any of its capital stock (other than
(i) purchases or acquisitions of shares of Company common stock in connection
with the satisfaction by the Company of its obligations under any employee
benefit plans or any other contractual obligation of the Company (other than a
contractual obligation ranking PARI PASSU with or junior to the Subordinated
Debentures), (ii) as a result of a reclassification of Company capital stock or
the exchange or conversion of one class or series of Company capital stock for
another class or series of Company capital stock or (iii) the purchase of
fractional interests in shares of Company capital stock pursuant to the
conversion or exchange provisions of such Company capital stock or the security
being converted or exchanged), (b) the Company may not make any payment of
interest, principal or premium, if any, on or repay, repurchase or redeem any
debt securities (including guarantees) issued by the Company

                                         -8-


<PAGE>

which rank PARI PASSU with or junior to the Subordinated Debentures to which
such Extended Interest Payment Period applies and (c) the Company may not make
any guarantee payments with respect to the foregoing (other than pursuant to the
Preferred Securities Guarantee).  To the extent permitted by applicable law,
interest, the payment of which has been deferred because of the extension of the
interest payment period pursuant to this Section 4.1, will bear interest
compounded quarterly at the Coupon Rate for each quarter of the Extended
Interest Payment Period ("Compounded Interest").  At the end of the Extended
Interest Payment Period, the Company shall pay all interest accrued and unpaid
on the Subordinated Debentures, including any Compounded Interest and Additional
Interest ("Deferred Interest") which shall be payable to the holders of the
Subordinated Debentures in whose names the Subordinated Debentures are
registered in the Security Register on the first record date after the end of
the Extended Interest Payment Period.  Prior to the termination of any Extended
Interest Payment Period, the Company may further extend such period, PROVIDED
that such period together with all such further extensions thereof shall not
exceed twenty (20) consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the
Subordinated Debentures.  Upon the termination of any Extended Interest Payment
Period and upon the payment of all Deferred Interest then due, the Company may
select a new Extended Interest Payment Period, subject to the foregoing
requirements.  No interest shall be due and payable during an Extended Interest
Payment Period, except at the end thereof.

         SECTION 4.2.  NOTICE OF EXTENSION.

         (a)  If the Property Trustee is the only registered holder of the
Subordinated Debentures at the time the Company selects an Extended Interest
Payment Period, the Company shall give written notice to both the Regular
Trustees and the Property Trustee of its selection of such Extended Interest
Payment Period one Business Day before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding
date on which Distributions on the Trust Securities issued by the Trust are
payable, or (ii) the date the Trust is required to give notice of the record or
payment date for such Distributions to the New York Stock Exchange or other
applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of the Preferred
Securities issued by the Trust, but in any event at least one Business Day
before such record date.

         (b)  If the Property Trustee is not the only holder of the
Subordinated Debentures at the time the Company selects an Extended Interest
Payment Period, the Company shall give the holders of the Subordinated
Debentures and the Trustee written

                                         -9-


<PAGE>

notice of its selection of such Extended Interest Payment Period ten (10)
Business Days before the earlier of (i) the next succeeding Interest Payment
Date, or (ii) the date the Company is  required to give notice of the record or
payment date of such interest payment to the New York Stock Exchange or other
applicable self-regulatory organization or to holders of the Subordinated
Debentures, but in any event at least two Business Days before such record date.

         (c)  The quarter in which any notice is given pursuant to paragraphs
(a) or (b) of this Section 4.2 shall be counted as one of the twenty quarters
permitted in the maximum Extended Interest Payment Period permitted under
Section 4.1.


                                      ARTICLE V

                                       EXPENSES

         SECTION 5.1.  PAYMENT OF EXPENSES.  In connection with the offering,
sale and issuance of the Subordinated Debentures to the Property Trustee in
connection with the sale of the Trust Securities by the Trust, the Company
shall:

         (a)  pay all costs and expenses relating to the offering, sale and
    issuance of the Subordinated Debentures, including commissions to the
    underwriters payable pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and
    compensation of the Trustee under the Indenture in accordance with the
    provisions of Section 7.06 of the Indenture;

         (b)  pay all costs and expenses of the Trust (including, but not
    limited to, costs and expenses relating to the organization of the Trust,
    the offering, sale and issuance of the Trust Securities (including
    commissions to the underwriters in connection therewith), the fees and
    expenses of the Property Trustee and the Delaware Trustee, the costs and
    expenses relating to the operation of the Trust, including without
    limitation, costs and expenses of accountants, attorneys, statistical or
    bookkeeping services, expenses for printing and engraving and computing or
    accounting equipment, paying agent(s), registrar(s), transfer agent(s),
    duplicating, travel and telephone and other telecommunications expenses and
    costs and expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition, financing,
    and disposition of Trust assets); and

                                         -10-


<PAGE>

         (c)  pay any and all taxes (other than United States withholding taxes
    attributable to the Trust or its assets) and all liabilities, costs and
    expenses with respect to such taxes of the Trust.


                                      ARTICLE VI

                                    SUBORDINATION

         SECTION 6.1.  AGREEMENT TO SUBORDINATE.  The Company covenants and
agrees, and each holder of Subordinated Debentures issued hereunder by such
holder's acceptance thereof likewise covenants and agrees, that all Subordinated
Debentures shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article VI; and
each holder of a Subordinated Debenture, whether upon original issue or upon
transfer or assignment thereof, accepts and agrees to be bound by such
provisions.

         The payment by the Company of the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on all Subordinated Debentures issued hereunder shall, to the extent
and in the manner hereinafter set forth, be subordinated and subject in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company,
whether outstanding at the date of this First Supplemental Indenture or
thereafter incurred.  

         No provision of this Article VI shall prevent the occurrence of any
default or Event of Default hereunder.

         SECTION 6.2.  DEFAULT ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS.  In the event and during
the continuation of any default by the Company in the payment of principal,
premium, interest or any other payment due on any Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, or in the event that the maturity of any Senior Indebtedness of the
Company has been accelerated because of a default, then, in either case, no
payment shall be made by the Company with respect to the principal (including
redemption and sinking fund payments) of, or premium, if any, or interest on the
Subordinated Debentures. 

         In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be
received by the Trustee or any holder of Subordinated Debentures when such
payment is prohibited by the preceding paragraph of this Section 6.2, such
payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or
delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their respective
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any of such Senior Indebtedness

                                         -11-


<PAGE>

may have been issued, as their respective interests may appear, but only to the
extent that the holders of the Senior Indebtedness (or their representative or
representatives or a trustee) notify the Trustee within 90 days of such payment
of the amounts then due and owing on the Senior Indebtedness and only the
amounts specified in such notice to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of
Senior Indebtedness.

         SECTION 6.3.  LIQUIDATION; DISSOLUTION; BANKRUPTCY.  Upon any payment
by the Company, or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any
dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of the Company,
whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
other proceedings, all amounts due upon all Senior Indebtedness of the Company
shall first be paid in full, or payment thereof provided for in money in
accordance with its terms, before any payment is made by the Company on account
of the principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Subordinated
Debentures; and upon any such dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or
reorganization, any payment by the Company, or distribution of assets of the
Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to
which the holders of the Subordinated Debentures or the Trustee would be
entitled to receive from the Company, except for the provisions of this Article
VI, shall be paid by the Company or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidating trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution,
or by the holders of the Subordinated Debentures or by the Trustee under this
Indenture if received by them or it, directly to the holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company (pro rata to such holders on the basis of the
respective amounts of Senior Indebtedness held by such holders, as calculated by
the Company) or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such
Senior Indebtedness may have been issued, as their respective interests may
appear, to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full, in
money or money's worth, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the holders of such Senior Indebtedness, before any
payment or distribution is made to the holders of Subordinated Debentures or to
the Trustee.

         In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash,
property or securities, prohibited by the foregoing, shall be received by the
Trustee or the holders of the Subordinated Debentures before all Senior
Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, or provision is made for such
payment in money in accordance with its terms, such payment or distribution

                                         -12-


<PAGE>

shall be held in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered to
the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative or
representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to
which any instruments evidencing such Senior Indebtedness may have been issued,
as their respective interests may appear, as calculated by the Company, for
application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company remaining
unpaid to the extent necessary to pay such Senior Indebtedness in full in money
in accordance with its terms, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness.

         For purposes of this Article VI, the words "cash, property or
securities" shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation
provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment, the payment of which
is subordinated at least to the extent provided in this Article VI with respect
to the Subordinated Debentures to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the
Company that may at the time be outstanding, PROVIDED that (i) such Senior
Indebtedness is assumed by the new corporation, if any, resulting from any such
reorganization or readjustment, and (ii) the rights of the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by
such reorganization or readjustment.  The consolidation of the Company with, or
the merger of the Company into, another corporation or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its property
as an entirety, or substantially as an entirety, to another corporation upon the
terms and conditions provided for in Article X of the Indenture shall not be
deemed a dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes
of this Section 6.3 if such other corporation shall, as a part of such
consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the conditions stated
in Article X of the Indenture.  Nothing in Section 6.2 or in this Section 6.3
shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to
Section 7.06 of the Indenture.

         SECTION 6.4.  SUBROGATION.  Subject to the payment in full of all
Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the rights of the holders of the
Subordinated Debentures shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or
securities of the Company applicable to such Senior Indebtedness until the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Subordinated Debentures
shall be paid in full; and, for the

                                         -13-


<PAGE>

purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of
such Senior Indebtedness of any cash, property or securities to which the
holders of the Subordinated Debentures or the Trustee would be entitled except
for the provisions of this Article VI, and no payment over pursuant to the
provisions of this Article VI, to or for the benefit of the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness by holders of the Subordinated Debentures or the Trustee,
shall, as between the Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior
Indebtedness of the Company, and the holders of the Subordinated Debentures be
deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of such Senior
Indebtedness.  It is understood that the provisions of this Article VI are and
are intended solely for the purposes of defining the relative rights of the
holders of the Subordinated Debentures, on the one hand, and the holders of such
Senior Indebtedness on the other hand.

         Nothing contained in this Article VI or elsewhere in this Indenture or
in the Subordinated Debentures is intended to or shall impair, as between the
Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, and the holders of the Subordinated Debentures, the obligation of the
Company which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the holders of the
Subordinated Debentures the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
the Subordinated Debentures as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative
rights of the holders of the Subordinated Debentures and creditors of the
Company, other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, nor shall
anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the holder of any Subordinated
Debenture from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law
upon default under the Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this
Article VI of the holders of such Senior Indebtedness in respect of cash,
property or securities of the Company, received upon the exercise of any such
remedy.

         Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to
in this Article VI, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 of
the Indenture, and the holders of the Subordinated Debentures, shall be entitled
to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in
which such dissolution, winding-up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings
are pending, or a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy,
liquidation trustee, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution,
delivered to the Trustee or to the holders of the Subordinated Debentures, for
the purposes of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such
distribution, the holders of Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the
Company, the amount thereof or payable

                                         -14-


<PAGE>

thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts
pertinent thereto or to this Article VI.

         SECTION 6.5.  TRUSTEE TO EFFECTUATE SUBORDINATION.  Each holder of a
Subordinated Debenture by such holder's acceptance thereof authorizes and
directs the Trustee on such holder's behalf to take such action as may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this
Article VI and appoints the Trustee such holder's attorney-in-fact for any and
all such purposes.

         SECTION 6.6.  NOTICE BY THE COMPANY.  The Company shall give prompt
written notice to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee of any fact known to the
Company that would prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the
Trustee in respect of the Subordinated Debentures pursuant to the provisions of
this Article VI.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article VI or any other
provision of the Indenture and this First Supplemental Indenture, the Trustee
shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would
prohibit the making of any payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of
the Subordinated Debentures pursuant to the provisions of this Article VI unless
and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have received written
notice thereof at the Principal Office of the Trustee from the Company or a
holder or holders of Senior Indebtedness or from any trustee therefor; and
before the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the
provisions of Section 7.01 of the Indenture, shall be entitled in all respects
to assume that no such facts exist; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the Trustee shall
not have received the notice provided for in this Section 6.6 at least two
Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any money may
become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of
the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Subordinated
Debenture), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply
the same to the purposes for which they were received, and shall not be affected
by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within two Business
Days prior to such date.

         The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 of the
Indenture, shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice
by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the
Company (or a trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice
has been given by a holder of such Senior indebtedness or a trustee on behalf of
any such holder or holders.  In the event that the

                                         -15-


<PAGE>

Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect
to the right of any Person as a holder of such Senior Indebtedness to
participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article VI, the
Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness held by
such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such
payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such
Person under this Article VI, and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee
may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the
right of such Person to receive such payment.

         SECTION 6.7.  RIGHTS OF THE TRUSTEE; HOLDERS OF SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS. 
The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights set
forth in this Article VI in respect of any Senior Indebtedness at any time held
by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness, and
nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such
holder.

         With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the
Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and
obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article VI, and no implied
covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be
deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and,
subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee shall
not be liable to any holder of such Senior Indebtedness if it shall pay over or
deliver to holders of Subordinated Debentures, the Company or any other Person
money or assets to which any holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be
entitled by virtue of this Article VI or otherwise.

         SECTION 6.8.  SUBORDINATION MAY NOT BE IMPAIRED.  No right of any
present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce
subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or
impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act
or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by
the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of the Indenture,
regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise
be charged with.

         Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph,
the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the

                                         -16-


<PAGE>

Company may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice
to the Trustee or the holders of the Subordinated Debentures, without incurring
responsibility to the holders of the Subordinated Debentures and without
impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article VI or the
obligations hereunder of the holders of the Subordinated Debentures to the
holders of such Senior Indebtedness, do any one or more of the following: (i)
change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of,
or renew or alter, such Senior Indebtedness, or otherwise amend or supplement in
any manner such Senior Indebtedness or any instrument evidencing the same or any
agreement under which such Senior Indebtedness is outstanding; (ii) sell,
exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or
otherwise securing such Senior Indebtedness; (iii) release any Person liable in
any manner for the collection of such Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) exercise or
refrain from exercising any rights against the Company and any other Person. 


                                     ARTICLE VII

                             COVENANT TO LIST ON EXCHANGE

         SECTION 7.1.  LISTING ON EXCHANGE.  If the Subordinated Debentures are
to be issued as a Global Security in connection with the distribution of the
Subordinated Debentures to the holders of the Preferred Securities issued by the
Trust upon the dissolution of the Trust, the Company will use its best efforts
to list such Subordinated Debentures on the New York Stock Exchange or on such
other exchange as the Preferred Securities are then listed.


                                     ARTICLE VIII

                            FORM OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE

         SECTION 8.1.  FORM OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE.  The Subordinated
Debentures and the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication to be endorsed
thereon are to be substantially in the following forms:

                       (FORM OF FACE OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE)

         [IF THE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE IS TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY, INSERT: 
This Subordinated Debenture is a Global Security within the meaning of the
Indenture hereinafter referred

                                         -17-


<PAGE>

to and is registered in the name of a Depository or a nominee of a Depositary. 
This Subordinated Debenture is exchangeable for Subordinated Debentures
registered in the name of a person other than the Depositary or its nominee only
in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this
Subordinated Debenture (other than a transfer of this Subordinated Debenture as
a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the
Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be
registered except in limited circumstances.

         Unless this Subordinated Debenture is presented by an authorized
representative of The Depository Trust Company (55 Water Street, New York, New
York) to the issuer or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or
payment, and any Subordinated Debenture issued is registered in the name of Cede
& Co. or such other name as requested by an authorized representative of The
Depository Trust Company and any payment hereon is made to Cede & Co., ANY
TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY A PERSON IS
WRONGFUL since the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.]

                                         -18-


<PAGE>

No.                                          $

CUSIP No.


                          KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

                8.3% JUNIOR SUBORDINATED DEFERRABLE INTEREST DEBENTURE
                                  DUE MARCH 31, 2037


         KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, a Missouri corporation (the
"Company", which term includes any successor corporation under the Indenture
hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to _______
or registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________  Dollars on March 31,
2037, or such earlier date established by the Company not earlier than March 31,
2002, and to pay interest on said principal sum from April 15, 1997 or from the
most recent interest payment date (each such date, an "Interest Payment Date")
to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, quarterly (subject to
deferral as set forth herein) in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30 and
December 31 of each year commencing, June 30, 1997, at the rate of 8.3% per
annum until the principal hereof shall have become due and payable, and on any
overdue principal and premium, if any, and (without duplication and to the
extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) on any
overdue installment of interest compounded quarterly at the same rate per annum.
The amount of interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.  In the event that any date
on which interest is payable on this Subordinated Debenture is not a Business
Day, then payment of interest payable on such date will be made on the next
succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other
payment in respect of any such delay), except that, if such Business Day is in
the next succeeding calendar year, such payment shall be made on the immediately
preceding Business Day, in each case with the same force and effect as if made
on such date.  The interest installment so payable, and punctually paid or duly
provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture,
be paid to the Person in whose name this Subordinated Debenture (or one or more
Predecessor Securities, as defined in said Indenture) is registered at the close
of business on the regular record date for such interest installment [which
shall be the close of business on the Business Day next preceding such Interest
Payment Date.] [IF PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF Section 2.11(C) OF THE
INDENTURE THE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES ARE NO LONGER REPRESENTED BY A GLOBAL
SECURITY -- which shall be the

                                         -19-


<PAGE>

close of business on the ________ day preceding such Interest Payment Date.] Any
such interest installment not punctually paid or duly provided for shall
forthwith cease to be payable to the registered holders on such regular record
date, and may be paid to the Person in whose name this Subordinated Debenture
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on a special record date to be fixed by the Trustee for the payment of such
defaulted interest, notice whereof shall be given to the registered holders of
this series of Subordinated Debentures not less than ten (10) days prior to such
special record date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not
inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the
Subordinated Debentures may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
by such exchange, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.  The principal of
(and premium, if any) and the interest on this Subordinated Debenture shall be
payable at the office or agency of the Trustee maintained for that purpose in
Chicago, Illinois, in any coin or currency of the United States of America which
at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the
Company by check mailed to the registered holder at such address as shall appear
in the Security Register.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the holder
of this Subordinated Debenture is the Property Trustee, the payment of the
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Subordinated Debenture
will be made at such place and to such account as may be designated by the
Property Trustee.

         The indebtedness evidenced by this Subordinated Debenture is, to the
extent provided in the Indenture, subordinate and junior in right of payment to
the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, and this Subordinated
Debenture is issued subject to the provisions of the Indenture with respect
thereto.  Each holder of this Subordinated Debenture, by accepting the same, (a)
agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the
Trustee on behalf of such holder to take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination so provided and (c)
appoints the Trustee the attorney-in-fact of such holder for any and all such
purposes.  Each holder hereof, by acceptance hereof, hereby waives all notice of
the acceptance of the subordination provisions contained herein and in the
Indenture by each holder of Senior Indebtedness, whether now outstanding or
hereafter incurred, and waives reliance by each such holder upon said
provisions.

                                         -20-


<PAGE>

         This Subordinated Debenture shall not be entitled to any benefit under
the Indenture hereinafter referred to, be valid or become obligatory for any
purpose until the Certificate of Authentication hereon shall have been signed by
or on behalf of the Trustee.

         Unless the Certificate of Authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee referred to on the reverse side hereof, this Subordinated Debenture
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

         The provisions of this Subordinated Debenture are continued on the
reverse side hereof and such continued provisions shall for all purposes have
the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

                                         -21-


<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
executed.


Dated
                             KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
                                  
                             By

                                  [Title]

Attest:


By
    Secretary


                                         -22-


<PAGE>


                       (FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION)

                            CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

    This is one of the Subordinated Debentures of the series of Subordinated
Debentures described in the within-mentioned Indenture.



         THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK       _______________________
         OF CHICAGO,                   as Authentication Agent
         Not in Its Individual
         Capacity But Solely 
         as Trustee                     

         By                             By
              Authorized Signatory          Authorized Signatory



                     (FORM OF REVERSE OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURE)

         This Subordinated Debenture is one of a duly authorized series of
Subordinated Debentures of the Company (herein sometimes referred to as the
"Subordinated Debentures"), specified in the Indenture, all issued or to be
issued in one or more series under and pursuant to an Indenture dated as of
April 1, 1997, duly executed and delivered between the Company and The First
National Bank of Chicago, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee
(the "Trustee"), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of
April 1, 1997 between the Company and the Trustee (the Indenture as so
supplemented, the "Indenture"), to which Indenture and all indentures
supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the
Trustee, the Company and the holders of the Subordinated Debentures.  By the
terms of the Indenture, the Subordinated Debentures are issuable in series which
may vary as to amount, date of maturity, rate of interest and in other respects
as in the Indenture provided.  This series of Subordinated Debentures is limited
in aggregate principal amount as specified in said First Supplemental Indenture.

         Upon the occurrence and continuation of a Tax Event, in certain
circumstances this Subordinated Debenture will become due and payable at the
principal amount together with any interest accrued thereon (the "Redemption
Price").  The Redemption Price shall be paid prior to 12:00 noon, New York time,
on the date of

                                         -23-


<PAGE>

such redemption or at such earlier time as the Company determines.  The Company
shall have the right to redeem this Subordinated Debenture at the option of the
Company, without premium or penalty, in whole or in part at any time on or after
March 31, 2002 (an "Optional Redemption"), at the Redemption Price.  Any
Optional Redemption pursuant to this paragraph will be made upon not less than
30 days' nor more than 60 days' notice, at the Redemption Price.  If the
Subordinated Debentures are only partially redeemed by the Company pursuant to
an Optional Redemption, the Subordinated Debentures will be redeemed pro rata or
by lot or by any other method utilized by the Trustee; PROVIDED that if at the
time of redemption, the Subordinated Debentures are registered as a Global
Security, the Depositary shall determine by lot the principal amount of such
Subordinated Debentures held by each holder to be redeemed.

         In the event of redemption of this Subordinated Debenture in part
only, a new Subordinated Debenture or Subordinated Debentures of this series for
the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the holder hereof
upon the cancellation hereof.

         In case an Event of Default, as defined in the Indenture, shall have
occurred and be continuing, the principal of all of the Subordinated Debentures
may be declared, and upon such declaration shall become, due and payable, in the
manner, with the effect and subject to the conditions provided in the Indenture.

         The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the
Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated Debentures of each series
affected at the time Outstanding, as defined in the Indenture, to execute
supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing
in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or of any
supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the holders
of the Subordinated Debentures; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such supplemental
indenture shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Subordinated Debentures of
any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend
the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the
redemption thereof, without the consent of the holder of each Subordinated
Debenture so affected or (ii) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Subordinated
Debentures, the holders of which are required to consent to any such
supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holders of each Subordinated
Debenture then outstanding

                                         -24-


<PAGE>

and affected thereby.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Subordinated
Debentures of any series at the time outstanding affected thereby, on behalf of
all of the holders of the Subordinated Debentures of such series, to waive any
past default in the performance of any of the covenants contained in the
Indenture, or established pursuant to the Indenture with respect to such series,
and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of or
premium, if any, or interest on any of the Subordinated Debentures of such
series.  Any such consent or waiver by the registered holder of this
Subordinated Debenture (unless revoked as provided in the Indenture) shall be
conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders and owners
of this Subordinated Debenture and of any Subordinated Debenture issued in
exchange herefor or in place hereof (whether by registration of transfer or
otherwise), irrespective of whether or not any notation of such consent or
waiver is made upon this Subordinated Debenture.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this
Subordinated Debenture or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation
of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on this Subordinated Debenture at the time and
place and at the rate and in the money herein prescribed.

         The Company shall have the right at any time during the term of the
Subordinated Debentures, from time to time to extend the interest payment period
of such Subordinated Debentures for up to twenty (20) consecutive quarters (an
"Extended Interest Payment Period"), at the end of which period the Company
shall pay all interest then accrued and unpaid (together with interest thereon
at the rate specified for the Subordinated Debentures to the extent that payment
of such interest is enforceable under applicable law).  Before the termination
of any such Extended Interest Payment Period, the Company may further extend
such Extended Interest Payment Period, PROVIDED that such Extended Interest
Payment Period together with all such further extensions thereof shall not
exceed twenty (20) consecutive quarters or extend beyond the maturity of the
Subordinated Debentures.  At the termination of any such Extended Interest
Payment Period and upon the payment of all accrued and unpaid interest and any
additional amounts then due, the Company may select a new Extended Interest
Payment Period.

         As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, this Subordinated Debenture is transferable by the registered
holder hereof on the Security Register of the Company, upon surrender of this
Subordinated

                                         -25-


<PAGE>

Debenture for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Trustee in
Chicago, Illinois, accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Company or the Trustee duly executed by the
registered holder hereof or the attorney of such holder duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Subordinated Debentures of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount and series will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.  No service charge will be
made for any such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in relation
thereto.

         Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of this
Subordinated Debenture, the Company, the Trustee, any paying agent and any
Security Registrar may deem and treat the registered holder hereof as the
absolute owner hereof (whether or not this Subordinated Debenture shall be
overdue and notwithstanding any notice of ownership or writing hereon made by
anyone other than the Security Registrar) for the purpose of receiving payment
of or on account of the principal hereof and premium, if any, and interest due
hereon and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any paying agent nor any Security Registrar shall be affected by any notice to
the contrary.

         No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or the
interest on this Subordinated Debenture, or for any claim based hereon, or
otherwise in respect hereof, or based on or in respect of the Indenture, against
any incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, past, present or future, as
such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation, whether by
virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any
assessment or penalty or otherwise, all such liability being, by the acceptance
hereof and as part of the consideration for the issuance hereof, expressly
waived and released.

         [The Subordinated Debentures of this series are issuable only in
registered form without coupons in denominations of $25 and any integral
multiple thereof.] [This Global Security is exchangeable for Subordinated
Debentures in definitive form only under certain limited circumstances set forth
in the Indenture.  Subordinated Debentures of this series so issued are issuable
only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $25 and any integral
multiple thereof.] As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain
limitations [herein and] therein set forth, Subordinated Debentures of this
series [so issued] are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of 

                                         -26-


<PAGE>

Subordinated Debentures of this series of a different authorized denomination,
as requested by the holder surrendering the same.

         All terms used in this Subordinated Debenture which are defined in the
Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.


                                      ARTICLE IX

                      ORIGINAL ISSUE OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES

         SECTION 9.1.  ORIGINAL ISSUE OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES.  Subordinated
Debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $154,640,000 may, upon execution
of this First Supplemental Indenture, be executed by the Company and delivered
to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate
and deliver said Subordinated Debentures to or upon the written order of the
Company, signed by its Chairman, its President, or any Vice President and its
Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, without any further action by the Company.


                                      ARTICLE X

                                    MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 10.1.  RATIFICATION OF INDENTURE.  The Indenture, as
supplemented by this First Supplemental Indenture, is in all respects ratified
and confirmed, and this First Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed part of the
Indenture in the manner and to the extent herein and therein provided.

         SECTION 10.2.  TRUSTEE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RECITALS.  The recitals
herein contained are made by the Company and not by the Trustee, and the Trustee
assumes no responsibility for the correctness thereof.  The Trustee makes no
representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this First Supplemental
Indenture.

         SECTION 10.3.  GOVERNING LAW.  This First Supplemental Indenture and
each Subordinated Debenture shall be deemed to be a contract made under the
internal laws of the State of New York, and for all purposes shall be construed
in accordance with the laws of said State.

         SECTION 10.4.  SEPARABILITY.  In case any one or more of the
provisions contained in this First Supplemental Indenture

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or in the Subordinated Debentures shall for any reason be held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this First
Supplemental Indenture or of the Subordinated Debentures, but this First
Supplemental Indenture and the Subordinated Debentures shall be construed as if
such invalid or illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
herein or therein.

         SECTION 10.5.  COUNTERPARTS.  This First Supplemental Indenture may be
executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be an original; but
such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, and their respective corporate seals
to be hereunto affixed and attested, on the date or dates indicated in the
acknowledgments and as of the day and year first above written.


                             KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY


                             By:/s/ B. J. Beaudoin
                                  Name:  Bernard J. Beaudoin
                                  Title: Executive Vice President - 
                                           Chief Financial Officer
[Corporate Seal]

Attest:

  /s/ Jeanie Sell Latz
    Secretary


                             THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
                             not in its individual capacity
                             but solely as Trustee


                             By:/s/ John R. Prendiville
                                  Title: Vice President
                                  Name: John R. Prendiville

[Corporate Seal]

Attest:

/s/ Katherine Cokic
    Title: Assistant-Vice President


<PAGE>


STATE OF MISSOURI   )
COUNTY OF JACKSON   ) ss:



         On the 15th day of April, 1997, before me personally came
Bernard Beaudoin, to me known, who, being by me  duly sworn, did depose and say
that he is a Exec Vic Pres. of KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY, one of the
corporations described in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows
the corporate seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to the said
instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the
Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by
like authority.


                        NOTARY PUBLIC  Carol A. Baxter,
                                       Notary Public-Notary Seal
                                       State of Missouri, Clay County
[seal]                  Commission expires:  Mar 18, 2001



STATE OF ILLINOIS   )
COUNTY OF COOK      ):



         On the     day of April, 1997, before me personally came John R.
Prendiville, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that
he is the Vice President of THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, one of the
corporations described in and which executed the above instrument; that he knows
the corporate seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to the said
instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the
Board of Directors of said corporation, and that he signed his name thereto by
like authority.

                   
                        NOTARY PUBLIC  Nilda Sierra - Notary Public 
                                       State of Missouri
[seal]                   Commission expires: 11/12/97