Document:

<PAGE>

================================================================================

                             WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.

                                       TO

                          HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK

                                   as Trustee

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

                      THIRTY-FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                            Dated as of June 28, 2000

================================================================================
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS/a/
                               -----------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           Page
                                                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Parties.......................................................................................................1

Recitals......................................................................................................1

Granting Clause...............................................................................................3

Habendum......................................................................................................5

Exceptions and Reservations...................................................................................5

Grant in Trust................................................................................................6

General Covenant..............................................................................................6

                                    ARTICLE I

                           DESCRIPTION OF BONDS OF THE
                                   2003 SERIES

SECTION 1.          General Description of Bonds of the 2003 Series...........................................6

SECTION 2.          Denominations of Bonds of the 2003 Series and privilege of exchange.......................7

SECTION 3.          Form of Bonds of the 2003 Series..........................................................7

SECTION 4.          Execution and Form of Temporary Bonds of the 2003 Series.................................11

                                   ARTICLE II

                        ISSUE OF BONDS OF THE 2003 SERIES

SECTION 1.          Limitations as to principal amount.......................................................12

SECTION 2.          Execution and Delivery of Bonds of the 2003 Series.......................................12
</TABLE>

a    Note: The Table of Contents is not part of this Supplemental  Indenture and
     should not be  considered  as such.  It is  included  only for  purposes of
     convenience.

                                      -i-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   ARTICLE III

                                   REDEMPTION
<S>                                                                                                        <C>
SECTION 1.  Bonds of the 2003 Series are redeemable prior to maturity only upon a demand therefor by the
               Collateral Agent.............................................................................12

SECTION 2.  Article VIII of Original Indenture Controlling..................................................12

SECTION 3.  Article V of Original Indenture Controlling.....................................................13

SECTION 4.  Bonds redeemed may be used to authenticate any deliver additional Bonds under
               Original Indenture...........................................................................13

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

SECTION 1.  Title to mortgaged property.....................................................................13

SECTION 2.  To retire certain portions of Bonds upon release of all or substantially all of the electric
               properties...................................................................................13

                                    ARTICLE V

           AMENDMENTS TO RATIO OF BONDS ISSUABLE TO PROPERTY ADDITIONS
             AND OF CERTAIN OTHER RATIOS. AMENDMENT OF NET EARNINGS
             TEST. USE OF FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE
                  XV. RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND ARTICLE VII

SECTION 1.  So long as Bonds of the 2003 Series remain outstanding:

            Bonds issuable on basis only of 60% of net bondable value of property
               additions not subject to an unfunded prior lien..............................................14

            Amendment of definition of net bondable value of property additions
               not subject to an unfunded prior lien........................................................14

            Monies deposited with Trustee under Section 5(a) of Article
               III of the Original Indenture may not be withdrawn in an
               amount in excess of 60% of net bondable value of property
               additions not subject to an unfunded prior lien,
               notwithstanding provisions of Section 3(a) of Article
               VIII of the Original Indenture...............................................................14

            Amendment of definition of net bondable value of property additions
               subject to an unfunded prior lien............................................................15
</TABLE>

                                     -ii-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                      <C>
            Amendment of covenants in Sections 14 and 16 of Article IV
               and Section 1 of Article XII of the Original Indenture
               with respect to acquisition of property subject to an
               unfunded prior lien..........................................................................15

            Definitions: minimum charge for depreciation; net earnings
               of property available for interest, depreciation and
               property retirement; net earnings of another corporation
               available for interest, depreciation and property retirement.................................16

            Amendment of Articles III, IV and XII of the Original Indenture.................................16

SECTION 2.  Facsimile Signatures............................................................................17

SECTION 3.  Reservation of Right to Amend Article VII.......................................................17

SECTION 4.  Reservation of Right to Delete certain requirements and conditions..............................20

                                   ARTICLE VI

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 1.  Acceptance of Trust.............................................................................20

SECTION 2.  Responsibility and Duty of Trustee..............................................................20

SECTION 3.  Parties to include successors and assigns.......................................................21

SECTION 4.  Benefits restricted to parties and to holders of Bonds and coupons..............................21

SECTION 5.  Execution in counterparts.......................................................................21

SECTION 6.  Titles of Articles not part of the Thirty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture.........................21

TESTIMONIUM.................................................................................................S-1

SIGNATURES AND SEALS........................................................................................S-1

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.............................................................................................S-2

                                   APPENDIX A

DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES
</TABLE>

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>

     THIRTY-FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of the 28th day of June, Two
Thousand, made by and between Western Resources, Inc., formerly The Kansas Power
and Light Company, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
State of Kansas (hereinafter called the "Company"), party of the first part, and
Harris Trust and Savings Bank, a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Illinois whose mailing address is 111 West Monroe Street,
P.O. Box 755, Chicago, Illinois 60690 (hereinafter called the "Trustee"), as
Trustee under the Mortgage and Deed of Trust dated July 1, 1939, hereinafter
mentioned, party of the second part;

     WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee
its Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated July 1, 1939 (hereinafter referred to as
the "Original Indenture"), to provide for and to secure an issue of First
Mortgage Bonds of the Company, issuable in series, and to declare the terms and
conditions upon which the Bonds (as defined in the Original Indenture) are to be
issued thereunder; and

     WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee
Thirty-Three Supplemental Indentures supplemental to said Original Indenture, of
which Thirty-One provided for the issuance thereunder of series of the Company's
First Mortgage Bonds, and there is set forth below information with respect to
such Supplemental Indentures as have provided for the issuance of Bonds, and the
principal amount of Bonds which remain outstanding as of March 31, 2000.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Series of First        Principal        Principal
Supplemental Indenture                                         Mortgage Bonds          Amount           Amount
Hereinafter Called                           Date               Provided For           Issued         Outstanding
------------------------------       -------------------    --------------------     -----------      -----------
<S>                                  <C>                    <C>                      <C>              <C>
Supplemental Indenture               July 1, 1939           3-1/2% Series            $26,500,000         None
                                                            Due 1969
Second Supplemental Indenture        April 1, 1949          2-7/8% Series             10,000,000         None
                                                            Due 1979
Fourth Supplemental Indenture        October 1, 1949        2-3/4% Series              6,500,000         None
                                                            Due 1979
Fifth Supplemental Indenture         December 1, 1949       2-3/4% Series             32,500,000         None
                                                            Due 1984
Seventh Supplemental                 December 1, 1951       3-1/4% Series              5,250,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 1981
Eighth Supplemental Indenture        May 1, 1952            3-1/4% Series              4,750,000         None
                                                            Due 1982
Ninth Supplemental Indenture         October 1, 1954        3-1/8% Series              8,000,000         None
                                                            Due 1984
Tenth Supplemental Indenture         September 1, 1961      4-3/4% Series             13,000,000         None
                                                            Due 1991
Eleventh Supplemental                April 1, 1969          7-5/8% Series             19,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 1999
Twelfth Supplemental                 September 1, 1970      8-3/4% Series             20,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 2000
Thirteenth Supplemental              February 1, 1975       8-5/8% Series             35,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 2005
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                                      -2-

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Series of First        Principal        Principal
Supplemental Indenture                                         Mortgage Bonds          Amount           Amount
Hereinafter Called                           Date               Provided For           Issued         Outstanding
------------------------------       -------------------    --------------------     -----------      -----------
<S>                                  <C>                    <C>                      <C>              <C>
Fourteenth Supplemental              May 1, 1976            8-5/8% Series             45,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 2006
Fifteenth Supplemental               April 1, 1977          5.90% Pollution           32,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Control Series
                                                            Due 2007
Sixteenth Supplemental               June 1, 1977           8-1/8% Series             30,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 2007
Seventeenth Supplemental             February 1, 1978       8-3/4% Series             35,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 2008
Eighteenth Supplemental              January 1, 1979        6-3/4% Pollution          45,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Control Series
                                                            Due 2009
Nineteenth Supplemental              May 1, 1980            8-1/4% Pollution          45,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Control Series
                                                            Due 1983
Twentieth Supplemental               November 1, 1981       16.95% Series             25,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 1988
Twenty-First Supplemental            April 1, 1982          15% Series                60,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 1992
Twenty-Second Supplemental           February 1, 1983       9-5/8% Pollution          58,500,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Control Series
                                                            Due 2013
Twenty-Third Supplemental            July 1, 1986           8-1/4% Series             60,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 1996
Twenty-Fourth Supplemental           March 1, 1987          8-5/8% Series             50,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 2017
Twenty-Fifth Supplemental            October 15, 1988       9.35% Series              75,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 1998
Twenty-Sixth Supplemental            February 15, 1990      8-7/8% Series             75,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 2000
Twenty-Seventh Supplemental          March 12, 1992         7.46% Demand             370,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Series
Twenty-Eighth Supplemental           July 1, 1992           7-1/4% Series            125,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Due 1999
                                                            8-1/2% Series            125,000,000      125,000,000
                                                            Due 2022
Twenty-Ninth Supplemental            August 20, 1992        7-1/4% Series            100,000,000      100,000,000
  Indenture                                                 Due 2002
Thirtieth Supplemental               February 1, 1993       6% Pollution              58,500,000      58,410,000
  Indenture                                                 Control Revenue
                                                            Refunding Series
                                                            Due 2033
Thirty-First Supplemental            April 15, 1993         7.65% Series             100,000,000      100,000,000
  Indenture                                                 Due 2023
Thirty-Second Supplemental           April 15, 1994         7-1/2% Series             75,500,000      75,500,000
  Indenture                                                 Due 2032
Thirty-Third Supplemental            August 11, 1997        6-7/8% Convertible       370,000,000         None
  Indenture                                                 Series Due 2004
                                                            7-1/8% Convertible       150,000,000         None
                                                            Series Due 2009
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                                      -3-

; and

     WHEREAS, the Company is entitled at this time to have authenticated and
delivered additional bonds on the basis of net bondable value of property
additions not subject to an unfunded prior lien and in substitution for
refundable Bonds, upon compliance with the provisions of Article III of the
Original Indenture, as amended; and

     WHEREAS, the Company desires by this Thirty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture
(hereinafter referred to as this "Supplemental Indenture") to supplement the
Original Indenture and to provide for the creation of a new series of bonds
under the Original Indenture to be designated "First Mortgage Bonds, 9-1/2%
Series Due 2003"; and the Original Indenture provides that certain terms and
provisions, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, of the Bonds
of any particular series may be expressed in and provided by the execution of an
appropriate supplemental indenture; and

     WHEREAS, the Company in the exercise of the powers and authority conferred
upon and reserved to it under the provisions of the Original Indenture and
indentures supplemental thereto, and pursuant to appropriate resolutions of its
Board of Directors, has duly resolved and determined to make, execute and
deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in the form hereof for the
purposes herein provided; and

     WHEREAS, all conditions and requirements necessary to make this
Supplemental Indenture a valid, binding and legal instrument have been done,
performed and fulfilled, and the execution and delivery hereof have been in all
respects duly authorized;

     NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH: That, in consideration of the
premises and of the mutual covenants herein contained and of the sum of One
Dollar duly paid by the Trustee to the Company at or before the time of the
execution of these presents, and of other valuable considerations, the receipt
whereof is hereby acknowledged, and in order further to secure the payment of
the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on all Bonds at any time
issued and outstanding under the Original Indenture as amended by all indentures
supplemental thereto (hereinafter sometimes collectively called the "Indenture")
according to their tenor, purport and effect, and to declare certain terms and
conditions upon and subject to which Bonds are to be issued and secured, the
Company has executed and delivered this Supplemental Indenture, and by these
presents grants, bargains, sells, warrants, aliens, releases, conveys, assigns,
transfers, mortgages, pledges, sets over and ratifies and confirms unto Harris
Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee, and to its successors in trust under the
Indenture forever, all and singular the following described properties (in
addition to all other properties heretofore specifically subjected to the lien
of the Indenture and not heretofore released from the lien thereof), that is to
say:
<PAGE>

                                      -4-

                                     FIRST.

     All and singular the rents, real estate, chattels real, easements,
servitudes, and leaseholds of the Company, or which, subject to the provisions
of Article XII of the Original Indenture, the Company may hereafter acquire,
including, among other things, the property described in Appendix A hereto under
the caption "First", which description is hereby incorporated herein by
reference and made a part hereof as if fully set forth herein, together with all
improvements of any type located thereon.

     Also all power houses, plants, buildings and other structures, dams, dam
sites, substations, heating plants, gas works, holders and tanks, compressor
stations, gasoline extraction plants, together with all and singular the
electric heating, gas and mechanical appliances appurtenant thereto of every
nature whatsoever, now owned by the Company or which it may hereafter acquire,
including all and singular the machinery, engines, boilers, furnaces,
generators, dynamos, turbines and motors, and all and every character of
mechanical appliance for generating or producing electricity, steam, water, gas
and other agencies for light, heat, cold or power or any other purpose
whatsoever.

                                     SECOND.

     Also all transmission and distribution systems used for the transmission
and distribution of electricity, steam, water, gas and other agencies for light,
heat, cold or power, or any other purpose whatever, whether underground or
overhead or on the surface or otherwise of the Company, or which, subject to the
provisions of Article XII of the Original Indenture, the Company may hereafter
acquire, including all poles, posts, wires, cables, conduits, mains, pipes,
tubes, drains, furnaces, switchboards, transformers, insulators, meters, lamps,
fuses, junction boxes, water pumping stations, regulator stations, town border
metering stations and other electric, steam, water and gas fixtures and
apparatus.

                                     THIRD.

     Also all franchises and all permits, ordinances, easements, privileges and
immunities and licenses, all rights to construct, maintain and operate overhead,
surface and underground systems for the distribution and transmission of
electricity, gas, water or steam for the supply to itself or others of light,
heat, cold or power or any other purpose whatsoever, all rights-of-way, all
waters, water rights and flowage rights and all grants and consents, now owned
by the Company or, subject to the provisions of Article XII of the Original
Indenture, which it may hereafter acquire.

     Also all inventions, patent rights and licenses of every kind now owned by
the Company or, subject to the provisions of Article XII of the Original
Indenture, which it may hereafter acquire.

                                     FOURTH.

     Also, subject to the provisions of Article XII of the Original Indenture,
all other property, real, personal and mixed (except as therein or herein
expressly excepted) of every nature and kind and wheresoever situated now or
hereafter possessed by or belonging to the Company, or to which it is now, or
may at any time hereafter be, in any manner entitled at law or in equity.
<PAGE>

                                      -5-

                                     FIFTH.

     Also any and all property of any kind or description which may from time to
time after the date of the Original Indenture by delivery or by writing of any
kind be conveyed, mortgaged, pledged, assigned or transferred to the Trustee by
the Company or by any person, copartnership or corporation, with the consent of
the Company or otherwise, and accepted by the Trustee, to be held as part of the
mortgaged property; and the Trustee is hereby authorized to accept and receive
any such property and any such conveyance, mortgage, pledge, assignment and
transfer, as and for additional security hereunder, and to hold and apply any
and all such property subject to and in accordance with the terms and provisions
upon which such conveyance, mortgage, pledge, assignment or transfer shall be
made.

                                     SIXTH.

     Together with all and singular, the tenements, hereditaments and
appurtenances belonging or in any wise appertaining to the aforesaid property or
any part thereof, with the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders,
tolls, rents, revenues, issues, income, products and profits thereof, and all
the estate, right, title, interest and claim whatsoever, at law and in equity,
which the Company now has or may hereafter acquire in and to the aforesaid
property and franchises and every part and parcel thereof.

     EXPRESSLY EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING, HOWEVER, all properties of the character
excepted from the lien of the Original Indenture.

     TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all said properties, real, personal and mixed,
mortgaged, pledged and conveyed by the Company as aforesaid, or intended so to
be, unto the Trustee and its successors and assigns forever;

     SUBJECT, HOWEVER, to the exceptions and reservations hereinabove referred
to, to existing leases other than leases which by their terms are subordinate to
the lien of the Indenture, to existing liens upon rights-of-way for transmission
or distribution line purposes, as defined in Article I of the Original
Indenture; and any extensions thereof, and subject to existing easements for
streets, alleys, highways, rights-of-way and railroad purposes over, upon and
across certain of the property herein before described and subject also to all
the terms, conditions, agreements, covenants, exceptions and reservations
expressed or provided in the deeds or other instruments respectively under and
by virtue of which the Company acquired the properties hereinabove described and
to undetermined liens and charges, if any, incidental to construction or other
existing permitted liens as defined in Article I of the Original Indenture;

     IN TRUST, NEVERTHELESS, upon the terms and trusts in the Original
Indenture, and the indentures supplemental thereto, including this Supplemental
Indenture, set forth, for the equal and proportionate benefit and security of
all present and future holders of the Bonds and coupons issued and to be issued
thereunder, or any of them, without preference of any of said Bonds and coupons
of any particular series over the Bonds and coupons of any other series by
reason of priority in the time of issue, sale or negotiation thereof, or by
reason of the purpose of issue or otherwise howsoever, except as otherwise
provided in Section 2 of Article IV of the Original Indenture.
<PAGE>

                                      -6-

     AND IT IS HEREBY COVENANTED, DECLARED AND AGREED, by and between the
parties hereto for the benefit of those who shall hold the Bonds and coupons, or
any of them, to the be issued under the Indenture as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                           Description of Bonds of the
                                   2003 Series

     SECTION 1. The 2003 series of Bonds to be executed, authenticated and
delivered under and secured by the Original Indenture shall be designated as
"First Mortgage Bonds, 9-1/2% Series Due 2003" of the Company (herein called
"Bonds of the 2003 Series"). The Bonds of the 2003 Series shall be executed,
authenticated and delivered in accordance with the provisions of, and shall in
all respects be subject to, all of the terms, conditions and covenants of the
Original Indenture, as amended, and subject to all the terms, conditions and
covenants of this Supplemental Indenture.

     Bonds of the 2003 Series shall mature March 17, 2003 and shall bear
interest at the rate of nine and one-half percent (9-1/2%) per annum payable
(subject to the fifth paragraph of this Section 1) on the interest payment dates
for the Loans (as defined below). Every Bond of the 2003 Series shall be dated
the date of authentication except that, notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 6 of Article II of the Original Indenture, if at the time of
authentication of any Bond of the 2003 Series interest shall be in default on
any Bonds of the 2003 Series, such Bond shall be dated as of the day following
the interest payment date to which interest has previously been paid in full or
made available for payment in full on outstanding Bonds of the 2003 Series, as
the case may be, or, if no interest has been paid or made available for payment,
as of the date of initial authentication and delivery of such Bond. Every Bond
of the 2003 Series shall bear interest from each interest payment date for the
Loans next preceding the date thereof, unless no interest has been paid on this
Bond, in which case from June 28, 2000.

     The person in whose name any Bond of the 2003 Series is registered on any
interest payment date shall be entitled to receive the interest payable thereon
on such interest payment date, unless the Company shall default in the payment
of the interest due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted
interest shall be paid to the person in whose name such Bond is registered on
the date of payment of such defaulted interest. The Bonds of the 2003 Series
shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest, in any coin or
currency of the United States of America which at the time of payment is legal
tender for public and private debts, at the agency of the Company in the City of
Chicago, Illinois.

     All Bonds of the 2003 Series shall be issued and pledged by the Company to
the Collateral Agent pursuant to a Collateral Agreement dated as of June 28,
2000 among the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank (in such capacity, the
"Collateral Agent") to secure the payment of the principal of, and up to 9-1/2%
per annum of the interest on any of the loans issued pursuant to the
$600,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2000 among the Company, The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto,
and the Five-Year Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement,
dated as of March 17, 1998, among the Company, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (such agreements,
<PAGE>

                                      -7-

in each case, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
are referred to collectively herein as the "Credit Agreements" and the loans
thereunder are referred to collectively as the "Loans").

     The obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to the
principal of and interest on Bonds of the 2003 Series (including without
limitation upon maturity thereof) shall be fully or partially, as the case may
be, satisfied and discharged to the extent that, at the time that any such
payment shall be due, the then due principal of and interest on the Loans shall
have been fully or partially paid, or there shall be held by the Collateral
Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement sufficient available funds to fully
or partially pay the then due principal of and interest on the Loans.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Indenture, interest on the Bonds of
the 2003 Series shall be deemed fully or partially satisfied and discharged as
provided herein even if the interest rate on Bonds of the 2003 Series may be
higher or lower than the interest rate on any of the Loans at the time interest
on any such Loans is paid. The Trustee may conclusively presume that the
obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to the principal of and
interest on Bonds of the 2003 Series shall have been fully satisfied and
discharged unless and until the Trustee shall have received a written notice
from the Collateral Agent, signed by an authorized officer, stating (i) that
timely payment of the principal of or interest on the Loans required to be made
by the Company has not been made, (ii) that there are not sufficient available
funds held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement to make
such payment and (iii) the amount of funds, in addition to available funds held
by the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement, required to make
such payment.

     SECTION 2. The Bonds of the 2003 Series shall be registered bonds without
coupons of the denominations of $5,000 and of any multiples of $5,000, numbered
consecutively from R 1 upwards. Bonds of the 2003 Series may each be exchanged
for other bonds within the same Series in authorized denominations and in the
same aggregate principal amounts, without charge, except for any tax or
governmental charge imposed in connection with such interchange.

     SECTION 3. The Bonds of the 2003 Series, and the Trustee's Certificate with
respect thereto, shall be substantially in the following forms, respectively:

                        [FORM OF BOND OF THE 2003 SERIES]

This bond is not transferable, except as permitted under the Collateral
Agreement dated as of June 28, 2000 among Western Resources, Inc. and The Chase
Manhattan Bank.

                             WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.

              (Incorporated under the laws of the State of Kansas)

                   FIRST MORTGAGE BOND, 9-1/2% SERIES DUE 2003

                               DUE March 17, 2003
<PAGE>

                                      -8-

No. _____                                                                $[   ]

     WESTERN RESOURCES, INC., a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Kansas (hereinafter called the "Company", which term shall
include any successor corporation as defined in the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to [ ] or registered
assigns, on the 17th day of March, 2003, the sum of [ ] Dollars in any coin or
currency of the United States of America which at the time of payment is legal
tender for public and private debts, and to pay interest thereon in like coin or
currency from the interest payment date with respect to the Loans (as defined
below) next preceding the date of this Bond next preceding the date thereof,
unless no interest has been paid on this Bond, in which case from June 28, 2000,
at the rate of nine and one-half percent (9-1/2%) per annum, payable (subject to
the fourth paragraph hereof) on each interest payment date with respect to the
Loans, until maturity, or, if this Bond shall be duly called for redemption,
until the redemption date, or, if the Company shall default in the payment of
the principal hereof, until the Company's obligation with respect to the payment
of such principal shall be discharged as provided in the Indenture hereinafter
mentioned. The interest payable on any interest payment date as aforesaid will
be paid to the person in whose name this Bond is registered on any interest
payment date, unless the Company shall default in the payment of the interest
due on such interest payment date, in which case such defaulted interest shall
be paid to the person in whose name this Bond is registered on the date of
payment of such defaulted interest. Principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on, this Bond are payable at the agency of the Company in the City of
Chicago, Illinois in immediately available funds.

     This Bond is one of a duly authorized issue of Bonds of the Company (herein
called the "Bonds"), in unlimited aggregate principal amount, of the series
hereinafter specified, all issued and to be issued under and equally secured by
a Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated July 1, 1939, executed by the Company to
Harris Trust and Savings Bank (herein called the "Trustee"), as Trustee, as
amended by the indentures supplemental thereto including the thirty-fourth
indenture supplemental thereto dated as of June 28, 2000 (herein called the
"Supplemental Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee (said Mortgage
and Deed of Trust, as so amended, being herein called the "Indenture") to which
Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a
description of the properties mortgaged and pledged, the nature and extent of
the security, the rights of the bearers or registered owners of the Bonds and of
the Trustee in respect thereto, and the terms and conditions upon which the
Bonds are, and are to be, secured. The Bonds may be issued in series, for
various principal sums, may mature at different times, may bear interest at
different rates and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided. This Bond
is one of a series designated as the "First Mortgage Bonds, 9-1/2% Series Due
2003" (herein called "Bonds of the 2003 Series") of the Company, issued under
and secured by the Indenture executed by the Company to the Trustee.

     All Bonds of the 2003 Series shall be issued and pledged by the Company to
the Collateral Agent pursuant to a Collateral Agreement dated as of June 28,
2000, among the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank (in such capacity, the
"Collateral Agent") to secure the payment of the principal of, and up to 9-1/2%
per annum of the interest on any of the loans issued pursuant to the
$600,000,000 Credit Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2000 among the Company, The
Chase Manhattan Bank, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto,
and the Five-Year Competitive Advance and Revolving Credit Facility Agreement,
dated as of March 17, 1998, among the Company, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
administrative agent and the lenders party thereto, (such agreements,
<PAGE>

                                      -9-

in each case, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,
are referred to collectively herein as the "Credit Agreements" and the loans
issued thereunder are referred to collectively as the "Loans").

     The obligation of the Company to make payments with respect to the
principal of and interest on Bonds of the 2003 Series (including without
limitation upon maturity hereof) shall be fully or partially, as the case may
be, satisfied and discharged to the extent that, at the time that any such
payment shall be due, the then due principal of and interest on the Loans shall
have been fully or partially paid, or there shall be held by the Collateral
Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement sufficient available funds to fully
or partially pay the then due principal of and interest on the Loans. The
Trustee may conclusively presume that the obligation of the Company to make
payments with respect to the principal of and interest on Bonds of the 2003
Series shall have been fully satisfied and discharged unless and until the
Trustee shall have received a written notice from the Collateral Agent, signed
by an authorized officer, stating (i) that timely payment of the principal of or
interest on the Loans required to be made by the Company has not been made, (ii)
that there are not sufficient available funds held by the Collateral Agent
pursuant to the Collateral Agreement to make such payment and (iii) the amount
of funds, in addition to available funds held by the Collateral Agent pursuant
to the Collateral Agreement, required to make such payment. Notwithstanding any
other provisions of this Bond or the Indenture, interest on the Bonds of the
2003 Series shall be deemed fully satisfied and discharged as provided herein
and therein even if the interest rate on Bonds of the 2003 Series may be higher
or lower than the interest rate on any of the Loans at the time interest on any
of the Loans is paid.

     To the extent permitted by, and as provided in the Indenture, modifications
or alterations of the Indenture or of any indenture supplemental thereto, and of
the rights and obligations of the Company and of the holders of the Bonds and
coupons, may be made with the consent of the Company by an affirmative vote of
not less than 60% in principal amount of the Bonds entitled to vote then
outstanding, at a meeting of Bondholders called and held as provided in the
Indenture, and by an affirmative vote of not less than 60% in principal amount
of the Bonds of any series entitled to vote then outstanding and affected by
such modification or alteration, in case one or more but less than all of the
series of Bonds then outstanding under the Indenture are so affected. No
modification or alteration shall be made which will affect the terms of payment
of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on, this Bond, which are
unconditional. The Company has reserved the right to make certain amendments to
the Indenture, without any consent or other action by holders of the Bonds of
this series (i) to the extent necessary from time to time to qualify the
Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, (ii) to delete the requirement
that the Company meet a net earnings test as a condition to authenticating
additional Bonds or merging into another company and (iii) to make certain other
amendments which make the provisions for the release of mortgaged property less
restrictive, all as more fully provided in the Indenture and in the Supplemental
Indenture. In addition, once all Bonds issued prior to January 1, 1997 are no
longer outstanding, the Company will be permitted to issue additional Bonds in
an amount equal to 70% of the value of net bondable property additions not
subject to an unfunded prior lien, as provided in the Original Indenture.

     The Bonds of the 2003 Series are redeemable prior to maturity only upon a
demand therefor by the Collateral Agent as set forth in Article III of the
Supplemental Indenture.
<PAGE>

                                      -10-

     In case an event of default, as defined in the Indenture, shall occur, the
principal of all of the Bonds at any such time outstanding under the Indenture
may be declared or may become due and payable, upon the conditions and in the
manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. The Indenture provides
that such declaration may in certain events be waived by the holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Bonds outstanding.

     This Bond is transferable by the registered owner hereof, in person or by
duly authorized attorney, on the books of the Company to be kept for that
purpose at the agency of the Company in the City of Chicago, Illinois, upon
surrender and cancellation of this Bond and on presentation of a duly executed
written instrument of transfer, and thereupon a new registered Bond or Bonds of
the same series, of the same aggregate principal amount and in authorized
denominations will be issued to the transferee or transferees in exchange
herefor; and this Bond, with or without others of like form and series, may in
like manner be exchanged for one or more new registered Bonds of the same series
of other authorized denominations but of the same aggregate principal amount;
all upon payment of the charges and subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in the Indenture.

     No recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if
any, or interest on this Bond, or for any claim based hereon or on the Indenture
or any indenture supplemental thereto, against any incorporator, or against any
stockholder, director or officer, past, present or future, of the Company, or of
any predecessor or successor corporation, as such, either directly or through
the Company or any such 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, whether at common law,
in equity, by any constitution, statute or otherwise, of incorporators,
stockholders, directors or officers being released by every owner hereof by the
acceptance of this Bond and as part of the consideration for the issue hereof,
and being likewise released by the terms of the Indenture.

     This Bond shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or any
indenture supplemental thereto, or become valid or obligatory for any purpose,
until Harris Trust and Savings Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, or a
successor trustee thereto under the Indenture, shall have signed the form of
certificate endorsed hereon.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, WESTERN RESOURCES, INC. has caused this Bond to be
signed in its name by its Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer or a Vice President, manually or by facsimile, and its corporate seal
(or a facsimile thereof) to be hereto affixed and attested by its Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, manually or by facsimile.

Dated:

                                             WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.

                                             By________________________

Attest:
<PAGE>

                                      -11-

                         [FORM OF TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE]

     This Bond is one of the Bonds, of the series designated herein, described
in the within-mentioned Mortgage and Deed of Trust of July 1, 1939 and
Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 28, 2000.

                                           HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,
                                                                      Trustee,

                                           By ____________________________

     SECTION 4. Until Bonds of the 2003 Series in definitive form are ready for
delivery, the Company may execute, and upon its request in writing the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu thereof, Bonds of the 2003 Series in
temporary form, as provided in Section 9 of Article II of the Original
Indenture.

                                   ARTICLE II

                        Issue of Bonds of the 2003 Series

     SECTION 1. The total principal amount of Bonds of the 2003 Series which may
be authenticated and delivered hereunder is not limited except as the Original
Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture limit the principal amount of Bonds
which may be issued thereunder.

     SECTION 2. Bonds of the 2003 Series for the aggregate principal amount of
$397,800,000 may forthwith be executed by the Company and delivered to the
Trustee and shall be authenticated by the Trustee and delivered (either before
or after the filing or recording hereof) to or upon the order of the Company,
upon receipt by the Trustee of the resolutions, certificates, instruments and
opinions required by Article III and Article XVIII of the Original Indenture, as
amended.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                   Redemption

     SECTION 1. Bonds of the 2003 Series are redeemable prior to maturity only
upon a demand therefor by the Collateral Agent. To effect the redemption of
Bonds of the 2003 Series, the Collateral Agent shall deliver to the Trustee (and
deliver a copy thereof to the Company) a written demand (hereinafter referred to
as a "Redemption Demand") for the redemption of Bonds of the 2003 Series, signed
by an authorized officer and dated the date of its delivery to the Trustee,
stating (i) that an Event of Default (as defined in the Collateral Agreement)
has occurred and is continuing, (ii) that there are not sufficient available
funds held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Collateral Agreement to make
all payments required as a result of such Event of Default, (iii) the amount of
funds, in addition to available funds held by the Collateral Agent pursuant to
the Collateral Agreement, required to make such payments, and (iv) the principal
amount of Bonds of the 2003 Series the Collateral
<PAGE>

                                      -12-

Agent demands to have redeemed and the redemption date therefor which date shall
be at least thirty-one (31) days after the date of such Redemption Demand
(provided, such principal amount shall not exceed the amount of funds specified
pursuant to the foregoing clause (iii)). The Trustee may conclusively presume
the statements contained in the Redemption Demand to be correct. Redemption of
Bonds of the 2003 Series shall in all cases be at a price equal to the principal
amount of the Bonds to be redeemed together with accrued interest to the
redemption date, and such amount shall become and be due and payable on the
redemption date.

     The Company hereby covenants that if a Redemption Demand shall be delivered
to the Trustee, the Company will deposit, on or before the redemption date, with
the Trustee, in accordance with Article V of the Indenture, an amount in cash
sufficient to redeem the principal amount of Bonds of the 2003 Series so called
for redemption.

     SECTION 2. Article VIII of Original Indenture Controlling. The Bonds of the
2003 Series shall be redeemable pursuant to Section 8 of Article VIII of the
Original Indenture, from time to time prior to maturity subject to the terms and
conditions of Section 1 of this Article III.

     SECTION 3. Article V of Original Indenture Controlling. The provisions of
Article V of the Original Indenture shall be applicable to redemptions of Bonds
of the 2003 Series pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 of this Article III;
provided, however, that with respect to any redemption of Bonds of the 2003
Series, notice of redemption shall be given as provided in such Section 1. The
principal amount of Bonds of the 2003 Series to be redeemed on any partial
redemption shall be an authorized denomination thereof.

     SECTION 4. Bonds redeemed may be used to authenticate and deliver
additional Bonds under the Original Indenture. Any Bonds of the 2003 Series
redeemed pursuant to Section 1 of this Article III are hereby expressly
permitted to be used as refundable Bonds for the execution, authentication and
delivery of additional Bonds pursuant to Section 6 of Article III of the
Original Indenture.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              Additional Covenants

     The Company hereby covenants, warrants and agrees:

     SECTION 1. That the Company is lawfully seized and possessed of all of the
mortgaged property described in the granting clauses of this Supplemental
Indenture; that it has good, right and lawful authority to mortgage the same as
provided in this Supplemental Indenture; and that such mortgaged property is, at
the actual date of the initial issue of the Bonds of the 2003 Series, free and
clear of any deed of trust, mortgage, lien, charge or encumbrance thereon or
affecting the title thereto prior to the Indenture, except as set forth in the
granting clauses of the Original Indenture, the Twenty-Eighth Supplemental
Indenture, the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, the Thirtieth Supplemental
Indenture, the Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture, the Thirty-Second
Supplemental Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture.
<PAGE>

                                      -13-

     SECTION 2. So long as any Bonds of any series originally issued prior to
January 1, 1997 are outstanding, in the event all or substantially all of the
electric properties shall have been released as an entirety from the lien of the
Original Indenture, the Company will, at any time or from time to time within
six months after the date of such release, retire Bonds outstanding under the
Original Indenture in an aggregate principal amount equal to the fair value of
the electric properties so released pursuant to Section 3 of Article VII of the
Original Indenture, as stated in the engineer's certificate required by Section
3(b) of said Article VII, and the proceeds of the electric properties so
released pursuant to Section 5 of said Article VII. Such retirement of Bonds
shall be effected in either one or both of the following methods:

          (a) By the withdrawal pursuant to Section 2 of Article VIII of the
     Original Indenture of any moneys deposited with the Trustee pursuant to
     Sections 3(d), 4(d) and 5 of Article VII of the Original Indenture upon
     such release; or

          (b) By causing the Trustee to purchase or redeem bonds, pursuant to
     Section 8 of Article VIII of the Original Indenture, out of any moneys
     deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Sections 3(d), 4(d) and 5 of Article
     VII of the Original Indenture upon such release. The Bonds to be so retired
     pursuant to this Section 3 shall include a principal amount of Bonds of
     each Series then outstanding in the same ratio to the aggregate principal
     amount of all Bonds so retired as the aggregate principal amount of all
     Bonds of each Series outstanding immediately prior to such release bears to
     the total principal amount of all Bonds then outstanding.

                                    ARTICLE V

           AMENDMENTS TO RATIO OF BONDS ISSUABLE TO PROPERTY ADDITIONS
             AND OF CERTAIN OTHER RATIOS. AMENDMENT OF NET EARNINGS
             TEST. USE OF FACSIMILE SIGNATURES. AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE
                  XV. RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO AMEND ARTICLE VII

     SECTION 1. So long as any of the Bonds of any series originally issued
prior to January 1, 1997 shall remain outstanding:

          (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4 of Article III of the
     Original Indenture, no Bonds shall be authenticated and delivered pursuant
     to the provisions of Article III of the Original Indenture and issued upon
     the basis of net bondable value of property additions for an aggregate
     principal amount in excess of sixty percent (60%) of the net bondable value
     of property additions not subject to an unfunded prior lien.

          For the purposes of Subsections (e) and (f) of the definition of "net
     bondable value of property additions not subject to an unfunded prior
     lien", contained in Article I of the Original Indenture, and Subdivisions 8
     and 9 of clause (a) of Section 4 of Article III of the Original Indenture,
     in all computations made with respect to a period subsequent to April 1,
     1949, the deductions therein referred to shall in each case be ten-sixths
     (10/6ths) of the respective amounts mentioned, in lieu of ten-sevenths
     (10/7ths).
<PAGE>

                                      -14-

          (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3(a) of Article VIII of
     the Original Indenture, no moneys received by the Trustee pursuant to
     Section 5(a) of Article III of the Original Indenture shall be paid over by
     the Trustee in an amount in excess of sixty percent (60%) of the net
     bondable value of property additions not subject to an unfunded prior lien,
     and for the purposes of Section 3 of Article VII of the Original Indenture,
     the amount of cash required to be deposited by the Company pursuant to
     Subsection (d) of said Section 3 of Article VII shall not be reduced in an
     amount in excess of sixty percent (60%) of the net bondable value of
     property additions not subject to an unfunded prior lien.

          (c) For the purposes of clauses (c) and (d) of the definition of "net
     bondable value of property additions subject to an unfunded prior lien",
     contained in Article I of the Original Indenture, and Subsection 7 of
     clause (a) of Section 4 of Article III of the Original Indenture, in all
     computations made with respect to a period subsequent to April 1, 1949, the
     deductions therein referred to shall in each case be ten-sixths (10/6ths)
     of the respective amounts mentioned, in lieu of ten-sevenths (10/7ths).

          (d) Subsection (a) of Section 14, clauses (1) and (2) of Subsection
     (a) of Section 16 of Article IV and clause (1) of Subsection (b) of Section
     1 of Article XII of the Original Indenture shall be deemed amended by
     substituting the words "sixty percent (60%)" for "seventy percent (70%)"
     where they appear in said provisions of the Original Indenture.

          (e) The definition of the term "net earnings available for interest,
     depreciation and property retirement", as contained in Article I of the
     Original Indenture, shall be deemed to mean the net earnings of the Company
     ascertained as follows:

               1. The total operating revenues of the Company and the net
          non-operating revenues of the properties of the Company shall be
          ascertained.

               2. From the total, determined as provided in Subsection (a),
          there shall be deducted all operating expenses, including all
          salaries, rentals, insurance, license and franchise fees, expenditures
          for repairs and maintenance, taxes (other than income, excess profits
          and other taxes measured by or dependent on net taxable income),
          depreciation as shown on the books of the Company or an amount equal
          to the minimum provision for depreciation as hereinafter defined,
          whichever is greater, but excluding all property retirement
          appropriations, all interest and sinking fund charges, amortization of
          stock and debt discount and expense or premium and further excluding
          any charges to income or otherwise for the amortization of plant or
          property accounts or of amounts transferred therefrom.

               3. The balance remaining after the deduction of the total amount
          computed pursuant to Subsection (b) from the total amount computed
          pursuant to Subsection (a) shall constitute the "net earnings of the
          Company available for interest", provided that not more than fifteen
          percent (15%) of the net earnings of the Company available for
          interest may consist of the aggregate of (i) net non-operating income,
          (ii) net earnings from mortgaged property other than property of the
          character of
<PAGE>

                                      -15-

          property additions and (iii) net earnings from property not subject to
          the lien of this Indenture.

               4. No income received or accrued by the Company from securities
          and no profits or losses of capital assets shall be included in making
          the computations aforesaid.

               5. In case the Company shall have acquired any acquired plant or
          systems or shall have been consolidated or merged with any other
          corporation, within or after the particular period for which the
          calculation of net earnings of the Company available for interest,
          depreciation and property retirement is made, then, in computing the
          net earnings of the Company available for interest, depreciation and
          property retirement, there may be included, to the extent they may not
          have been otherwise included, the net earnings or net losses of such
          acquired plant or system or of such other corporation, as the case may
          be, for the whole of such period. The net earnings or net losses of
          such property additions, or of such other corporation for the period
          preceding such acquisition or such consolidation or merger, shall be
          ascertained and computed as provided in the foregoing subsections of
          this definition as if such acquired plant or system had been owned by
          the Company during the whole of such period, or as if such other
          corporation had been consolidated or merged with the Company prior to
          the first day of such period.

               6. In case the Company shall have obtained the release of any
          property pursuant to Section 3 of Article VII of the Original
          Indenture, of a fair value in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
          ($500,000), as shown by the engineer's certificate required by said
          Section 3, or shall have obtained the release of any property pursuant
          to Section 5 of Article VII of the Original Indenture, the proceeds of
          which shall have exceeded Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000),
          within or after the particular period for which the calculation of net
          earnings of the Company available for interest, depreciation and
          property retirement is made, then, in computing the net earnings of
          the Company available for interest, depreciation and property
          retirement, the net earnings or net losses of such property for the
          whole of such period shall be excluded to the extent practicable on
          the basis of actual earnings and expenses of such property or on the
          basis of such estimates of the earnings and expenses of such property
          as the signers of an officers' certificate filed with the Trustee
          pursuant to Section 3(b) of Article III or Section 16 of Article IV of
          the Original Indenture shall deem proper.

          The term "minimum charge for depreciation" as used herein shall mean
     an amount equal to (a) fifteen percent (15%) of the total operating
     revenues of the Company after deducting therefrom an amount equal to the
     aggregate cost to the Company of electric energy, gas and water purchased
     for resale to others and rentals paid for, or other payments made for the
     use of, property owned by others and leased to or operated by the Company,
     the maintenance of which and depreciation on which are borne by the owners,
     less (b) an amount equal to the expenditures for maintenance and repairs to
     the plants and property of the Company and included or reflected in its
     operating expense accounts.
<PAGE>

                                      -16-

          The terms "net earnings of property available for interest,
     depreciation and property retirement" and "net earnings of another
     corporation available for interest, depreciation and property retirement"
     as contained in Article I of the Original Indenture, when used with respect
     to any property or with respect to another corporation, shall mean the net
     earnings of such property or the net earnings of such other corporation, as
     the case may be, computed in the manner provided in Subsections (a), (b),
     (c) and (d) hereof.

          (f) Notwithstanding the provisions of clauses (1) and (2) of
     subsection (b) of Article III, and Subsection (b) of Section 14 of Article
     IV, and Subsection (b) of Section 16 of Article IV and clause (2) of
     Subsection (b) of Section 1 of Article XII of the Original Indenture, the
     computation of net earnings required therein shall be made as provided in
     Subsection (5) of this Section 1, and the net earnings tests required in
     said mentioned provisions of Articles III, IV and XII of the Original
     Indenture shall be based on two times the annual interest charges described
     in such provisions, instead of two and one-half times such charges, but
     shall not otherwise affect such provisions or relieve from the requirements
     therein pertaining to ten percent (10%) of the principal amount of Bonds
     therein described.

          SECTION 2. All of the Bonds of the 2003 Series and of any series
initially issued after the initial issuance of Bonds of the 2003 Series shall,
from time to time, be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or one of its Vice Presidents whose
signature, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12 of Article II of the
Original Indenture, may be by facsimile, and its corporate seal (which may be in
facsimile) shall be thereunto affixed and attested by its Secretary or one of
its Assistant Secretaries whose signature, notwithstanding the provisions of the
aforesaid Section 12, may be by facsimile.

          In case any of the officers who have signed or sealed any of the Bonds
of the 2003 Series or of any series initially issued after the initial issuance
of Bonds of the 2003 Series manually or by facsimile shall cease to be such
officers of the Company before such Bonds so signed and sealed shall have been
actually authenticated by the Trustee or delivered by the Company, such Bonds
nevertheless may be authenticated, issued and delivered with the same force and
effect as though the person or persons who so signed or sealed such Bonds had
not ceased to be such officer or officers of the Company; and also any such
Bonds may be signed or sealed by manual or facsimile signature on behalf of the
Company by such persons as at the actual date of the execution of any of such
Bonds shall be the proper officers of the Company, although at the nominal date
of any such Bond any such person shall not have been such officer of the
Company.

          SECTION 3. The Company reserves the right subject to appropriate
corporate action, but without the consent or other action of holders of bonds of
any series created after January 1, 1997, to make such amendments to the
Original Indenture, as supplemented, as shall be necessary in order to amend
Article VII thereof by adding thereto a Section 8 and a Section 9 to read as
follows:

          "SECTION 8. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture,
     unless an event of default shall have happened and be continuing, or shall
     happen as a result of the making or granting of an application to release
     mortgaged property permitted by this Section 8, the Trustee shall release
     from the lien of this Indenture any mortgaged property if the fair value to
     the Company of all of the property constituting the
<PAGE>

                                      -17-

     trust estate (excluding the mortgaged property to be released but including
     any mortgaged property to be acquired by the Company with the proceeds of,
     or otherwise in connection with, such release) equals or exceeds an amount
     equal to 10/7ths of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Bonds and
     prior lien bonds outstanding at the time of such release, upon receipt by
     the Trustee of:

               "(a) an officers' certificate dated the date of such release,
          requesting such release, describing in reasonable detail the mortgaged
          property to be released and stating the reason for such release;

               "(b) an engineer's certificate, dated the date of such release,
          stating (i) that the signer of such engineer's certificate has
          examined such officers' certificate in connection with such release,
          (ii) the fair value to the Company, in the opinion of the signer of
          such engineer's certificate, of (A) all of the property constituting
          the trust estate, and (B) the mortgaged property to be released, in
          each case as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date of such
          release, and (iii) that in the opinion of such signer, such release
          will not impair the security under this Indenture in contravention of
          the provisions hereof;

               "(c) in case any bondable property is being acquired by the
          Company with the proceeds of, or otherwise in connection with, such
          release, an engineer's certificate, dated the date of such release, as
          to the fair value to the Company, as of the date not more than 90 days
          prior to the date of such release, of the bondable property being so
          acquired (and if within six months prior to the date of acquisition by
          the Company of the bondable property being so acquired, such bondable
          property has been used or operated by a person or persons other than
          the Company in a business similar to that in which it has been or is
          to be used or operated by the Company, and the fair value to the
          Company of such bondable property, as set forth in such certificate,
          is not less than $25,000 and not less than 1% of the aggregate
          principal amount of Bonds at the time outstanding, such certificate
          shall be an independent appraiser's certificate);

               "(d) an officer's certificate, dated the date of such release,
          stating the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Bonds and prior
          lien bonds outstanding at the time of such release, and stating that
          the fair value to the Company of all of the property constituting the
          trust estate (excluding the mortgaged property to be released but
          including any bondable property to be acquired by the Company with the
          proceeds of, or otherwise in connection with, such release) stated on
          the independent appraiser's certificate filed pursuant to Section 8(c)
          equals or exceeds an amount equal to 10/7ths of such aggregate
          principal amount;

               "(e) an officers' certificate, dated the date of such release,
          stating that, the Company is not, and by the making or granting of the
          application
<PAGE>

                                      -18-

          will not be, in default in the performance of any of the terms and
          covenants of this Indenture;

               "(f) an opinion of counsel, dated the date of such release, as to
          compliance with conditions precedent.

          "SECTION 9. If the Company is unable to obtain, in accordance with any
     other Section of this Article VII, the release from the lien of this
     Indenture of any property constituting part of the trust estate, unless an
     event of default shall have happened and be continuing, or shall happen as
     a result of the making or granting of an application to release mortgaged
     property permitted by this Section 9, the Trustee shall release from the
     lien of this Indenture any mortgaged property if the fair value to the
     Company thereof, as shown by the engineer's certificate filed pursuant to
     Section 9(b), is less than 1/2 of 1% of the aggregate principal amount of
     outstanding Bonds and prior lien bonds outstanding at the time of such
     release, provided that the aggregate fair value to the Company of all
     mortgaged property released pursuant to this Section 9, as shown by all
     engineer's certificates filed pursuant to Section 9(b) in any period of 12
     consecutive calendar months which includes the date of such engineer's
     certificate, shall not exceed 1% of the aggregate principal amount of the
     outstanding Bonds and prior lien bonds outstanding at the time of such
     release, upon receipt by the Trustee of:

               "(a) an officers' certificate, dated the date of such release,
          requesting such release, describing in reasonable detail the mortgaged
          property to be released and stating the reason for such release;

               "(b) an engineer's certificate, dated the date of such release,
          stating (A) that the signer of such engineer's certificate has
          examined such officers' certificate in connection with such release,
          (B) the fair value to the Company, in the opinion of the signer of
          such engineer's certificate, of such mortgaged property to be released
          as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date of such release,
          and (C) that in the opinion of such signer such release will not
          impair the security under this Indenture in contravention of the
          provisions hereof;

               "(c) an officers' certificate, dated the date of such release,
          stating the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Bonds and prior
          lien bonds outstanding at the time of such release, that 1/2 of 1% of
          such aggregate principal amount does not exceed the fair value to the
          Company of the mortgaged property for which such release is applied
          for as shown by the engineer's certificate referred to in Section
          9(b), and that 1% of such aggregate principal amount does not exceed
          the aggregate fair value to the Company of all mortgaged property
          released from the lien of this Indenture pursuant to this Section 9 as
          shown by all engineer's certificates filed pursuant to Section 9(b) in
          such period of 12 consecutive calendar months;
<PAGE>

                                      -19-

               "(d) an officers' certificate, dated the date of such release,
          stating that, the Company is not, and by the making or granting of the
          application will not be, in default in the performance of any of the
          terms and covenants of this Indenture; and

               "(e) an opinion of counsel, dated the date of such release, as to
          compliance with conditions precedent."

          The Company also reserves the right subject to appropriate corporate
action, but without the consent or other action of holders of Bonds of any
series created after January 1, 1997 to amend, modify or delete any other
provision of the Original Indenture, as supplemented, as may be necessary in
order to effectuate the intents and purposes contemplated by the foregoing
Sections 8 and 9.

          SECTION 4. The Company reserves the right subject to appropriate
corporate action, but without the consent or other action of holders of Bonds of
any series created after January 1, 1997 to:

               (a) delete as a condition to the authentication of additional
          Bonds pursuant to Sections 4, 5 or 6 of Article III of the Original
          Indenture the requirement to file or deposit with the Trustee the
          officers' certificate described in Section 3(b) of Article III of the
          Original Indenture;

               (b) delete as a condition to the consolidation or merger of the
          Company into, or sale by the Company of its property as an entirety or
          substantially as an entirety to another corporation the requirement
          set forth in Section 1(b)(2) of Article XII of the Original Indenture;

               (c) delete as a condition to the release of property pursuant to
          Section 3 of Article VII of the Original Indenture, the requirement to
          obtain an independent engineer's certificate under the circumstances
          set forth in Section 3(c) of Article VII; and

               (d) amend, modify or delete any other provision of the Original
          Indenture, as supplemented, as may be necessary in order to effectuate
          the intents and purposes contemplated by this Section 6.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                            Miscellaneous Provisions

          SECTION 1. The Trustee accepts the trusts herein declared, provided,
created or supplemented and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and
conditions herein and in the Original Indenture, as amended, set forth and upon
the following terms and conditions.

          SECTION 2. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner
whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental
Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which
recitals are made by the Company solely. In general each and every
<PAGE>

                                      -20-

term and condition contained in Article XIII of the Original Indenture, as
amended by the Second Supplemental Indenture, shall apply to and form part of
this Supplemental Indenture with the same force and effect as if the same were
herein set forth in full with such omissions, variations and insertions, if any,
as may be appropriate to make the same conform to the provisions of this
Supplemental Indenture.

          SECTION 3. Whenever in this Supplemental Indenture either of the
parties hereto is named or referred to, such reference shall, subject to the
provisions of Articles XII and XIII of the Original Indenture, be deemed to
include the successors and assigns of such party, and all the covenants and
agreements in this Supplemental Indenture contained by or on behalf of the
Company, or by or on behalf of the Trustee, shall, subject as aforesaid, bind
and inure to the respective benefits of the respective successors and assigns of
such parties, whether so expressed or not.

          SECTION 4. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture, expressed or
implied, is intended or shall be construed, to confer upon, or to give to, any
person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and the holders of
the Bonds and coupons outstanding under the Indenture, any right, remedy or
claim under or by reason of this Supplemental Indenture or any covenant,
condition, stipulation, promise or agreement hereof, and all the covenants,
conditions, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Supplemental Indenture
contained by and on behalf of the Company shall be for the sole and exclusive
benefit of the parties hereto, and of the holders of the Bonds and of the
coupons outstanding under the Indenture.

          SECTION 5. This Supplemental Indenture may be executed in several
counterparts, and all such counterparts executed and delivered, each as an
original, shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

          SECTION 6. The Titles of the several Articles of this Supplemental
Indenture shall not be deemed to be any part thereof.
<PAGE>

                                      S-1

          IN WITNESS HEREOF, WESTERN RESOURCES, INC., party hereto of the first
part, has caused its corporate name to be hereunto affixed, and this instrument
to be signed and sealed by its Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive
Officer or a Vice President, and its corporate seal to be attested by its
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary for and in its behalf, and HARRIS TRUST AND
SAVINGS BANK, party hereto of the second part, has caused its corporate name to
be hereunto affixed, and this instrument to be signed and sealed by its Chairman
of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or a Vice President and its
corporate seal to be attested by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, all as
of the day and year first above written.

(CORPORATE SEAL)                                WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.

                                                By: /s/ James A. Martin
                                                   -----------------------
ATTEST:

By: /s/ Larry D. Irick
   ----------------------------

Executed, sealed and delivered by
  WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
  in the presence of:

By:  /s/ Cynthia S. Couch
    ---------------------------

By:  /s/ Patti Beasley
    ---------------------------

                                                HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK,
                                                  As Trustee

                                                By: /s/ Judith Bartolini
                                                   -------------------------
ATTEST:

By:  /s/ D G Donovan
    ---------------------------

Executed, sealed and delivered by
 HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
 in the presence of:

By:  /s/
    ---------------------------

By:  /s/
    ---------------------------
<PAGE>

                                      S-2

STATE OF KANSAS                 )
                                :  ss.:
COUNTY OF SHAWNEE               )

          BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 28th day of June, before me, the
undersigned, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid,
personally came James A. Martin and Larry D. Irick, of Western Resources, Inc.,
a corporation duly organized, incorporated and existing under the laws of the
State of Kansas, who are personally known to me to be such officers, and who are
personally known to me to be the same persons who executed as such officers the
within instrument of writing, and such persons duly acknowledged the execution
of the same to be the act and deed of said corporation.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my
official seal on the day and year last above written.

                                                         /s/ Patti Beasley
                                                     -------------------------
                                                           Notary Public
                                                       My Commission Expires

                                                         November 18, 2000
<PAGE>

                                      S-3

STATE OF ILLINOIS            )
                             :  ss.:
COUNTY OF COOK               )

          BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 23rd day of June, before me, the
undersigned, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid,
personally came J. Bartolini and D.G. Donovan, of Harris Trust and Savings Bank,
a corporation duly organized, incorporated and existing under the laws of the
State of Illinois, who are personally known to me to be such officers, and who
are personally known to me to be the same persons who executed as such officers
the within instrument of writing, and such persons duly acknowledged the
execution of the same to be the act and deed of said corporation.

                                                       /s/ Linda Ellen Garcia
                                                     --------------------------
                                                           Notary Public
                                                       My Commission Expires
<PAGE>

                                      S-4

STATE OF KANSAS                )
                               :  ss.:
COUNTY OF SHAWNEE              )

          BE IT REMEMBERED, that on this 28th day of June, before me, the
undersigned, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid,
personally came James A. Martin and Larry D. Irick, of Western Resources, Inc.,
a corporation duly organized, incorporated and existing under the laws of the
State of Kansas, who are personally known to me to be such officers, being by me
respectively duly sworn, did each say that the said James A. Martin is Vice
President and that the said Larry D. Irick is Secretary of said corporation,
that the consideration of and for the foregoing instrument was actual and
adequate, that the same was made and given in good faith, for the uses and
purposes therein set forth and without any intent to hinder, delay, or defraud
creditors or purchasers.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my
official seal on the day and year last above written.

                                                         /s/ Patti Beasley
                                                     --------------------------
                                                           Notary Public
                                                       My Commission Expires

                                                         November 18, 2000
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A

                                       to

                      THIRTY-FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

                            Dated as of June 28, 2000

                             Western Resources, Inc.

                                       to

                          Harris Trust and Savings Bank

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

                            DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTIES
                         LOCATED IN THE STATE OF KANSAS

                                      FIRST

                             PARCELS OF REAL ESTATE

                                  BROWN COUNTY

A tract of land 400 feet by 430 feet located in the South Half of the Northwest
Quarter (S/2 NW/4) of Section 5, Township 3 South, Range 17 East, Brown County,
Kansas, more particularly described as follows:

         Beginning at the Southwest Corner of said South Half of the Northwest
         Quarter (S/2 NW/4); thence North on the West line of said Section a
         distance of 430 feet; thence East 90(degree) from the line last
         described a distance of 400 feet; thence South 90(degree) from the last
         line described a distance of 430 feet to the South line of said South
         Half of the Northwest Quarter (S/2 NW/4); thence West on said South
         line to the point of beginning, containing 4.0 acres more or less.

                                 DOUGLAS COUNTY

The South 800 feet of the East 800 feet of the East Half of the Southeast
Quarter (E/2 SE/4), Section Nineteen (19), Township Twelve South (12S), Range
Nineteen (19), East of the 6th P.M., containing fifteen (15) acres, more or
less.

                                ELLSWORTH COUNTY
<PAGE>

                                      -2-

Beginning at a point Sixty (60) feet North and Thirty (30) feet West of the
Southeast corner of Section 33, Township 17 South, Range 10 West of the 6th
P.M., in Ellsworth County, Kansas; thence North adjacent to the County Road
Right of Way and parallel to the East line of said Section 33, a distance of One
Hundred (100) feet; thence West parallel to the South line of said Section 33, a
distance of Sixty (60) feet; thence South parallel to the East line of said
Section 33, a distance of One Hundred (100) feet to a point on the North Right
of Way line of Highway 4; thence East along the North Right of Way line of
Highway 4 to the Point of Beginning.

                                 LABETTE COUNTY

Lots 15, 16, 17, 19 and 21, in Block One (1), South Side Addition to the City of
Parsons, Labette County, Kansas.

                                  NEMAHA COUNTY

A tract of land 500 feet by 550 feet located in the Northeast Quarter (NE/4) of
Section 2, Township 4 South, Range 13 East of 6th P.M., Nemaha County, Kansas,
said tract more particularly described as follows:

         Beginning at the Northwest Corner of said Northeast Quarter (NE/4),
         thence East on the North line of said Northeast Quarter a distance of
         500 feet, thence South parallel to the West line of said Northeast
         Quarter a distance of 550 feet, thence West parallel to said North line
         a distance of 500 feet to the West line of said Northeast Quarter,
         thence North on said West line to the point of beginning.<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10(b)

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT is entered into as of the ___ day of ____, 2000 by and
between Western Resources, Inc., a Kansas corporation (the "Company"), and
______________ ("Executive"). This Agreement amends and restates in its entirety
the Letter Agreement between the Company and Executive, dated ____________
199___.

                               W I T N E S S E T H

         WHEREAS, the Company considers the establishment and maintenance of a
sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best
interests of the Company and its stockholders; and

         WHEREAS, the Board (as defined in Section 1) has determined that it is
in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to secure Executive's
continued services; and

         WHEREAS, the Company also recognizes that the possibility of a change
in control could arise which may result in the distraction of management to the
detriment of the Company and its shareholders. It is important that Executive be
able to advise the Board whether a proposed change in control would be in the
best interests of the Company and its shareholders and to take action regarding
such proposal as the Board directs, without being influenced by the
uncertainties of Executive's own situation.

         WHEREAS, the Board has authorized the Company to enter into this
Agreement.

         NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants and agreements herein contained, the Company and Executive hereby
agree as follows:

         1. Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
            -----------
have the respective meanings set forth below:

         (a) "Adjusted Base Salary" shall mean ninety percent (90%) of the
annual salary job value for the pay grade of Executive and other remuneration
for current services (but excluding all bonuses, stock based awards and other
incentive compensation) paid to or for the benefit of Executive.

         (b) "Base Salary" shall mean all salary, cash compensation
<PAGE>

and other remuneration for current services (but excluding all bonuses, stock
based awards and other incentive compensation) paid to, for the benefit of or
deferred by Executive, together (without duplication) with the compensation that
would have been payable in cash to Executive if such compensation had not been
converted into Restricted Share Units pursuant to the Western Resources, Inc.
Executive Stock for Compensation Program.

         (c) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (d) "Bonus Amount" means the greater of (a) the highest annual
incentive bonus (together with the bonus amount that would have been payable to
Executive if such bonus amount had not been converted into a split dollar life
insurance benefit pursuant to the Split Dollar Insurance Program) payable to or
for the benefit of or deferred by Executive from the Company (or its affiliates)
for the last three (3) completed fiscal years of the Company immediately
preceding Executive's Date of Termination (annualized in the event Executive was
not employed by the Company (or its affiliates) for the whole of any such fiscal
year), or (b) the Executive's target bonus amount for the year of termination of
employment.

         (e) "Cause" means (i) the willful and continued failure of Executive to
perform substantially his duties with the Company (other than any such failure
resulting from Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness or any
such failure subsequent to Executive being delivered a Notice of Termination
without Cause by the Company or delivering a Notice of Termination for Good
Reason to the Company) after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to Executive by the Chairman of the Board which specifically
identifies the manner in which Executive has not substantially performed
Executive's duties, or (ii) the willful engaging by Executive in illegal conduct
which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company. For purposes of
this paragraph (e), no act or failure to act by Executive shall be considered
"willful" unless done or omitted to be done by Executive in bad faith and
without reasonable belief that Executive's action or omission was in, or not
opposed to, the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based
upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board, based
upon the advice of counsel for the Company or upon the instructions of the
Company's chief executive officer or another senior officer of the Company shall
be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good
faith and in the best interests of the Company. Executive's attention to matters
not directly related

                                       2
<PAGE>

to the business of the Company shall not provide a basis for termination for
Cause if the Company has not objected to such activity in writing. Cause shall
not exist unless and until the Company has delivered to Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by three-quarters (3/4) of the entire Board (excluding
Executive if Executive is a Board member) at a meeting of the Board called and
held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive and an opportunity
for Executive, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding
that in the good faith opinion of the Board an event set forth in clauses (i) or
(ii) has occurred and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

         (f) "Change in Control" means the occurrence of any one of the
following events:

                  (i) individuals who, on May 17, 2000, constitute the Board
         (the "Incumbent Directors") cease for any reason to constitute at least
         a majority of the Board, provided that any person becoming a director
         subsequent to May 17, 2000, whose election or nomination for election
         was approved by a vote of at least three-fourths of the Incumbent
         Directors then on the Board (either by a specific vote or by approval
         of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as
         a nominee for director, without written objection to such nomination)
         shall be an Incumbent Director; provided, however, that no individual
         initially elected or nominated as a director of the Company as a result
         of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to directors
         or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of
         proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board
         shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director;

                  (ii) any "person" (as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(9)
         of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and as used
         in Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a
         "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act),
         directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 20%
         or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
         securities eligible to vote for the election of the Board (the "Company
         Voting Securities"); provided, however, that the event described in
         this paragraph (ii) shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control by
         virtue of any of the following acquisitions: (A) by the Company or any
         Subsidiary, (B) by any employee benefit plan

                                       3
<PAGE>

         (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any
         Subsidiary, (C) by any underwriter temporarily holding securities
         pursuant to an offering of such securities, (D) pursuant to a
         Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in paragraph (iii)), (E)
         pursuant to any acquisition by Executive or any group of persons
         including Executive (or any entity controlled by Executive or any group
         of persons including Executive);

                  (iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory
         share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a "Business Combination"), unless
         immediately following such Business Combination: (A) more than 60% of
         the total voting power of (x) the corporation resulting from such
         Business Combination (the "Surviving Corporation"), or (y) if
         applicable, the ultimate parent corporation that directly or indirectly
         has beneficial ownership of 100% of the voting securities eligible to
         elect directors of the Surviving Corporation (the "Parent
         Corporation"), is represented by Company Voting Securities that were
         outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if
         applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting
         Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and
         such voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the
         same proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities
         among the holders thereof immediately prior to the Business
         Combination, (B) no person (other than any employee benefit plan (or
         related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Corporation or
         the Parent Corporation) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or
         indirectly, of 20% or more of the total voting power of the outstanding
         voting securities eligible to elect directors of the Parent Corporation
         (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving Corporation) and
         (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the
         Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the
         Surviving Corporation) following the consummation of the Business
         Combination were Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board's
         approval of the execution of the initial agreement providing for such
         Business Combination (any Business Combination which satisfies all of
         the criteria specified in (A), (B) and (C) above shall be deemed to be
         a "Non-Qualifying Transaction"); or

                  (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of

                                       4
<PAGE>

         complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or a sale of all or
         substantially all of the Company's assets.

         (g) "Date of Termination" means (i) if Executive's employment is to be
terminated for Disability, 30 days after Notice of Termination is given
(provided that Executive shall not have returned to the performance of
Executive's duties on a full-time basis during such 30 day period), (ii) if
Executive's employment is to be terminated by the Company for Cause or by
Executive for Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination,
(iii) if Executive's employment is to be terminated by the Company for any
reason other than Cause, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, which
shall be 90 days after the Notice of Termination is given, unless an earlier
date has been expressly agreed to by Executive in writing, (iv) if Executive's
employment terminates by reason of death, the date of death of Executive; or (v)
if Executive's employment is terminated by Executive other than for Good Reason,
the date specified in Executive's Notice of Termination, but not more than 30
days after the Notice of Termination is given, unless expressly agreed to by the
Company in writing.

         (h) "Disability" means termination of Executive's employment by the
Company due to Executive's absence from Executive's duties with the Company on a
full-time basis for at least one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days as a
result of Executive's incapacity due to physical or mental illness, unless
within 30 days after Notice of Termination is given to Executive following such
absence Executive shall have returned to the full-time performance of
Executive's duties.

         (i) "Good Reason" shall mean termination based on any of the following
events:

                  (i) (A) any change in the duties or responsibilities
         (including reporting responsibilities) of Executive that is
         inconsistent in any material and adverse respect with Executive's
         position(s), duties, responsibilities or status with the Company
         (including any adverse diminution of such duties or responsibilities)
         or (B) the failure to reappoint or reelect Executive to any position
         held by Executive without Executive's consent; provided, however, that
         Good Reason shall not be deemed to occur upon a change in duties or
         responsibilities (other than reporting responsibilities) that is solely
         and directly a result of the Company no longer being a publicly traded
         entity and does not involve any other event set forth in this
         paragraph;

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  (ii) a reduction by the Company in Executive's Base Salary,
         annual target bonus opportunity or targeted long-term incentive value
         (including any material and adverse change in the formula for such
         annual bonus target or long-term incentive target) as in effect
         immediately prior to the date hereof or as the same may be increased
         from time to time thereafter;

                  (iii) any requirement of the Company that Executive (A) be
         required to relocate more than 30 miles from Executive's present place
         of employment or (B) travel on Company business to an extent
         substantially greater than the travel obligations of Executive
         immediately prior to the date hereof;

                  (iv) the failure of the Company to (A) continue in effect any
         employee benefit plan, welfare benefit plan or fringe benefit plan in
         which Executive is participating immediately prior to the date hereof
         or, if more favorable, which may be available from time to time
         hereafter to Executive or other executives of the Company, or the
         taking of any action by the Company which would materially and
         adversely affect Executive's participation in or reduce Executive's
         benefits under any such plan, unless Executive is permitted to
         participate in other plans providing Executive with substantially
         equivalent benefits (at no greater cost to Executive with respect to
         welfare benefit plans), or (B) provide Executive with paid vacation and
         sick leave in accordance with the most favorable policies of the
         Company as in effect for Executive immediately prior to the date hereof
         or, if more favorable, as may be available for Executive or other
         executives of the Company after the date hereof; provided however, that
         prior to a Change in Control, changes in any such plans which
         constitute in the aggregate less than 10% of Executive's aggregate
         benefits under such plans and which are applied to all employees of the
         Company shall not constitute "Good Reason";

                  (v) any refusal by the Company to permit Executive to engage
         in activities not directly related to the business of the Company which
         Executive was, or other executives of the Company are, permitted to
         engage in;

                  (vi) any purported termination of Executive's employment which
         is not effectuated pursuant to Section 17(b) (and which will not
         constitute a termination

                                       6
<PAGE>

         hereunder);

                  (vii) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption
         (and, if applicable, guarantee) agreement contemplated in Section
         16(b); or

                  (viii) the Company's termination of this Agreement or the
         failure of the Company to renew this Agreement as provided in Section 4
         hereof.

         For purposes of this Agreement, any good faith determination of Good
Reason by Executive shall be conclusive, provided however, that an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action taken in good faith and which is remedied
by the Company within ten (10) days after receipt of notice thereof given by
Executive shall not constitute Good Reason. Executive's right to terminate
employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by Executive's incapacities due
to mental or physical illness and Executive's continued employment shall not
constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any event or
condition constituting Good Reason; provided, however, that Executive must
provide notice of termination of employment within one hundred eighty (180) days
following Executive's knowledge of an event constituting Good Reason or such
event shall not constitute Good Reason under this Agreement.

         (j) "Notice of Termination" means a written notice of termination of
employment given by one party to the other party pursuant to Section 17(b).

         (k) "Qualifying Termination" means a termination of Executive's
employment (i) by the Company other than for Cause; (ii) by Executive for Good
Reason; or (iii) by Executive during the 90 day period after a Change in
Control. Termination of Executive's employment on account of death, Disability
or Retirement shall not be treated as a Qualifying Termination. In addition, in
the event that Executive is offered employment with a subsidiary of the Company
in connection with any event which would constitute a Change in Control and in
which such subsidiary becomes a publicly traded Company and Executive accepts
such offer, Executive shall be deemed to have terminated employment with the
Company pursuant to a Qualifying Termination upon commencing such employment
with the subsidiary and shall be entitled to the benefits described in this
Agreement payable by reason of a Qualifying Termination.

         (l) "Rabbi Trust" means a trust established by the Company

                                       7
<PAGE>

with a trustee acceptable to Executive under a trust agreement pursuant to which
(i) the trustee will be required to pay the amounts payable to Executive in
connection with the split dollar insurance agreement in accordance with Section
6(a)(ix) and for the amounts payable to Executive for "relocation expenses" in
accordance with Section 6(a)(x) of this Agreement to the extent not otherwise
paid to Executive (to the extent the trust assets are sufficient), (ii) the
Company will be required to make any additional contributions to the trust that
may be necessary to assure the trust assets are sufficient to pay the amounts
described in (i) above, (iii) except as provided in (iv) below, no amounts held
in the trust may be returned to the Company or used for any purpose other than
the payment of the amounts described in (i) above or the payment of the fees of
the trustee and other expenses of the trust until there has been full payment of
the amounts described in (i) above, (iv) the assets of the trust shall be
subject to claims of creditors of the Company in the event of the Company's
insolvency, (v) the Company will promptly pay all of the fees of the trustee and
other expenses of the trust, and (vi) the trust assets shall be invested
exclusively in public debt securities of the United States, time or demand
deposits in a bank insured by an agency of the United States, cash and cash
equivalents.

         (m) "Retirement" means Executive's termination on or after Executive's
normal retirement date under the terms of the Western Resources, Inc. Retirement
Plan, as in effect immediately prior to Executive's termination or a Change in
Control, whichever is earlier, or in accordance with any retirement arrangement
established with respect to Executive with Executive's written consent.

         (n) "Subsidiary" means any corporation or other entity in which the
Company has a direct or indirect ownership interest of 50% or more of the total
combined voting power of the then outstanding securities or interests of such
corporation or other entity entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors or in which the Company has the right to receive 50% or more of the
distribution of profits or 50% of the assets upon liquidation or dissolution.

         2. Employment and Duties.
            ---------------------

            (a) Term of Employment. The Company agrees to continue to employ
                ------------------
Executive, and Executive agrees to remain in employment of the Company, in
accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for the Term of this
Agreement, unless such employment is sooner terminated by the Company or

                                       8
<PAGE>

Executive.

            (b) Duties. During the term of Executive's employment under this
                ------
Agreement, Executive shall serve as of the Company. Executive shall devote
Executive's full business time and attention to the affairs of the Company and
his duties as its _________. Executive shall have such duties as are appropriate
to Executive's position as ________, and shall have such authority as required
to enable Executive to perform these duties. Consistent with the foregoing,
Executive shall comply with all reasonable instructions of the [Chief Executive
Officer of the Company] [Board of Directors of the Company]. Executive shall be
based at the headquarters of the Company in Topeka, Kansas and Executive's
services shall be rendered there except insofar as travel may be involved in
connection with Executive's regular duties. Executive shall report directly to
________.

         3. Obligation of Executive. In the event of a tender or exchange offer,
            -----------------------
proxy contest, or the execution of any agreement which, if consummated, would
constitute a Change in Control, Executive agrees not to voluntarily leave the
employ of the Company, other than as a result of Disability, Retirement or an
event which would constitute Good Reason, until the Change in Control occurs or,
if earlier, such tender or exchange offer, proxy contest, or agreement is
terminated or abandoned.

         4. Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall continue for a period of
            -----------------
three (3) years from the date hereof provided that on each anniversary of the
Agreement, the term shall automatically be extended for one year, unless at
least 90 days prior to such date, the Company or Executive shall have given
notice to cancel this Agreement at the end of its then term.

         5. Salary and Benefits.
            -------------------

            (a) Salary. The Company shall pay Executive an annual salary
                ------
at an initial rate equal to Executive's current Base Salary which shall be
reviewed annually by the Human Resources Committee of the Board for the purpose
of considering increases thereof. Executive's salary shall be paid in accordance
with the standard practices for other senior corporate executives of the
Company.

            (b) Bonuses. Executive shall be eligible to receive annually
                -------
or otherwise any bonus awards, whether payable in cash, shares of common stock
of the Company or otherwise, which the Company, the Human Resources Committee of
the Board or such other

                                       9
<PAGE>

authorized committee of the Board determines to award or grant.

            (c) Benefit Programs. Executive shall receive such benefits
                ----------------
and awards, including without limitation stock options and restricted share unit
awards, as the Human Resources Committee of the Board shall determine and shall
be eligible to participate in all employee benefit plans and programs of the
Company from time to time in effect for the benefit of senior executives of the
Company, including, but not limited to, pension and other retirement plans,
401(k) plans, group life insurance, hospitalization and surgical and major
medical coverages, sick leave, salary continuation arrangements, vacations and
holidays, long-term disability, and such other benefits as are or may be made
available from time to time to senior executives of the Company.

            (d) Business Expenses and Perquisites. Executive shall be
                ---------------------------------
reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in connection with
the conduct of the business of the Company, provided Executive properly accounts
therefor in accordance with the Company's policies. Executive shall also be
entitled to such other perquisites as are customary for senior executives of the
Company.

            (e) Office and Services Furnished. The Company shall furnish
                -----------------------------
Executive with office space, secretarial assistance and such other facilities
and services as shall be suitable to Executive's position and adequate for the
performance of Executive's duties hereunder.

         6. Payments Upon Termination of Employment.
            ---------------------------------------

            (a) Qualifying Termination. If during the Term of this Agreement the
                ----------------------
employment of Executive shall terminate pursuant to a Qualifying Termination,
then the Company shall provide to Executive:

                  (i) within five days following the Date of Termination a
         lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of (A) Executive's Base Salary
         through the Date of Termination and any bonus amounts which have become
         payable to the extent not theretofore paid or deferred, (B) a pro rata
         portion of Executive's annual bonus for the fiscal year in which
         Executive's Date of Termination occurs in an amount at least equal to
         (1) Executive's Bonus Amount, multiplied by (2) a fraction, the
         numerator of which

                                       10
<PAGE>

         is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Date of
         Termination occurs through the Date of Termination and the denominator
         of which is three hundred sixty-five (365), and reduced by (3) any
         amounts paid from the Company's annual incentive plan for the fiscal
         year in which Executive's Date of Termination occurs, (C) any accrued
         vacation pay, and (D) the cash equivalent of any accumulated sick
         leave; in each case to the extent not theretofore paid;

                  (ii) within five days following the Date of Termination, a
         lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of (i) 2.99 times the higher of
         Executive's highest annual rate of Base Salary during the 12-month
         period immediately prior to Executive's Date of Termination and
         Executive's Adjusted Base Salary, plus (ii) 2.99 times Executive's
         Bonus Amount;

                  (iii) the Company shall continue to provide, for a period of
         three (3) years following Executive's Date of Termination, Executive
         (and Executive's dependents, if applicable) with the same level of
         medical, dental, accident, disability and life insurance benefits and
         following such three year period retiree medical and dental benefits
         for the life of Executive and eligible dependents upon substantially
         the same terms and conditions (including contributions required by
         Executive for such benefits) as existed on the date hereof or, if more
         favorable to the Executive, as may exist immediately prior to
         Executive's Date of Termination; provided, that, if Executive cannot
         continue to participate in the Company plans providing such benefits or
         the Company shall modify or terminate any such plans, the Company shall
         otherwise provide such benefits on the same after-tax basis as if
         continued participation had been permitted. Notwithstanding the
         foregoing, in the event Executive becomes reemployed with another
         employer and becomes eligible to receive welfare benefits from such
         employer, the welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to
         such benefits during the period of Executive's eligibility, but only to
         the extent that the Company reimburses Executive for any increased cost
         and provides any additional benefits necessary to give Executive the
         benefits provided hereunder;

                  (iv) Executive shall be entitled to the provisions of the
         Executive Salary Continuation Plan and, notwithstanding anything to the
         contrary in such Plan, (i) shall be deemed to be sixty-five years of
         age as of the Date of Termination for purposes of determining the
         Retirement Benefit and commencement of payment thereof under Section
         4.1 of the Plan (without regard to Executive's actual age or date of

                                       11
<PAGE>

         commencement of retirement benefit payments under the Western
         Resources, Inc. Retirement Plan) and Vesting under Section 4.3 of the
         Plan and (ii) Compensation for purposes of calculating the Retirement
         Benefit thereunder shall be deemed to be the sum of (A) the higher of
         Executive's Adjusted Base Salary and Executive's Base Salary, plus (B)
         Executive's Bonus Amount;

                  (v) the cost of outplacement services of a nationally
         recognized executive employment agency selected by Executive and
         reasonably acceptable to the Company, or in lieu of such outplacement
         services Executive may elect to receive a lump sum of $50,000;

                  (vi) continuation of the Company's executive financial and
         legal counseling services program as in effect on the date hereof or if
         more favorable to Executive, as may be available to Executive or other
         comparable executives of the Company thereafter, for three (3) years
         following Executive's Date of Termination;

                  (vii) continuation of participation in the Company's matching
         gift program as in effect on the date hereof or if more favorable to
         the Executive, as may be available to Executive or other comparable
         executives of the Company thereafter, as if Executive continued as a
         senior executive of the Company, for three (3) years following
         Executive's Date of Termination;

                  (viii) if Executive has deferred compensation agreements or
         deferred retention payments with the Company, or any of its
         subsidiaries or affiliates that (i) have not fully vested or contain
         any restriction on the payment of benefits thereunder (other than the
         passage of time) [Certain Executives: other than the passage of time,
         except that payment under Executive's Deferred Compensation agreements
         with Kansas Gas and Electric Company shall commence upon a Qualifying
         Termination] such benefits shall upon a Qualifying Termination become
         fully vested and all such restrictions shall lapse, and/or (ii) provide
         for variable interest rates thereon (which interest rates are
         established by the Company, subsidiary or affiliate), such interest
         rates shall be fixed for the duration of such deferral at the higher of
         the contract rate and the prime rate established from time to time by
         Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, New York ("Prime Rate");

                                       12
<PAGE>

                  (ix) if the Executive is entitled to benefits under any split
         dollar life insurance agreement, (A) the amount payable to Executive
         thereunder shall be in accordance with the terms of the agreement, but
         not less than the Base Amount (as defined in the split dollar insurance
         agreement) under any such agreement, (B) upon a Change in Control the
         maximum amount that could be payable to Executive under such split
         dollar life insurance agreement shall be deposited in a Rabbi Trust
         until paid to Executive and (C) following a Change in Control the total
         shareholder return calculation under the split dollar agreement shall
         include any consideration received in the Change in Control and any
         distribution to shareholders of assets and/or securities at or about
         the time of the Change in Control;

                  (x) Relocation Expenses;

                  "Relocation Expenses" shall mean the purchase of Executive's
         principal residence by the Company at the request of Executive on or
         before 18 months following Executive's Date of Termination. The price
         to be paid by Company shall equal the higher of the appraised tax value
         of the residence and the appraised value of such residence determined
         by an appraiser selected by the Executive and the Company (but not less
         than the purchase price of such residence plus all improvements
         thereto) plus, in each case, the cost of any brokerage fees or other
         costs and expenses incurred by Executive in connection with such sale.
         If Executive and the Company cannot agree on an appraiser each shall
         select an appraiser. Such appraisers shall select a third appraiser.
         Each appraiser shall determine the fair value of the residence which
         shall be averaged, provided that any appraisal that is more than 10%
         deviation from the other two appraisals shall be omitted. The cost of
         such appraisals shall be paid by the Company. Upon a Change in Control,
         relocation expenses under this Section 6(a)(x) shall be estimated at
         the higher of (i) the appraised value and (ii) the purchase price plus
         all improvements of the applicable residence at the date of the Change
         in Control, plus 17% of such amount and shall be deposited in a Rabbi
         Trust until paid to Executive;

                  (xi) each stock option granted to Executive by the Company and
         outstanding immediately prior to the Qualifying Termination shall be
         fully exercisable and may be exercised by Executive (or Executive's
         legal representatives, legatees or distributees) at prior to the
         expiration date of the

                                       13
<PAGE>

         applicable option (determined without regard to any earlier termination
         that would otherwise occur by reason of termination of employment) and
         each related dividend equivalent shall become fully vested upon such
         Qualifying Termination;

                  (xii) each restricted share granted to Executive by the
         Company and still subject to restrictions immediately prior to the
         Qualifying Termination shall become fully vested and all restrictions
         shall lapse upon such Qualifying Termination;

                  (xiii) each restricted share unit granted to Executive by the
         Company which has not vested prior to the Qualifying Termination shall
         become fully vested upon such Qualifying Termination; and

                  (xiv) each other stock or stock equivalent grant granted to
         Executive by the Company which has not vested prior to the Qualifying
         Termination shall become fully vested and all restrictions shall lapse
         upon such Qualifying Termination.

         (b) If during the Term of this Agreement the employment of Executive
shall terminate other than by reason of a Qualifying Termination, then the
Company shall pay to Executive within ten (10) days following the Date of
Termination, a lump-sum cash amount equal to the sum of (1) Executive's Base
Salary through the Date of Termination and any Bonus Amounts which have become
payable, to the extent not theretofore paid or deferred, and (2) any accrued
vacation pay and accumulated sick leave, in each case to the extent not
theretofore paid. The Company may make such additional payments, and provide
such additional benefits, to Executive as the Company and Executive may agree in
writing.

         7. Gross-Up Provision.
            ------------------
         (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment, award, benefit or distribution
(or any acceleration of any payment, award, benefit or distribution) by the
Company (or any of its affiliated entities) or any entity which effectuates a
change in ownership or control described in Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") (or any of its affiliated entities) to or
for the benefit of Executive (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required
under this Section 7) (the "Payments") would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or

                                       14
<PAGE>

penalties are incurred by Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise
tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Company shall pay to Executive an
additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment
by Executive of all taxes (including any Excise Tax) imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment, Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the sum of
(x) the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments and (y) the product of any
deductions disallowed because of the inclusion of the Gross-up Payment in
Executive's adjusted gross income and the highest applicable marginal rate of
federal income taxation for the calendar year in which the Gross-up Payment is
to be made. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-up Payment, the
Executive shall be deemed to (i) pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rates of federal income taxation for the calendar year in which the
Gross-up Payment is to be made, (ii) pay applicable state and local income taxes
at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the calendar year in which the
Gross-up Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income
taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes and
(iii) have otherwise allowable deductions for federal income tax purposes at
least equal to those which could be disallowed because of the inclusion of the
Gross-up Payment in the Executive's adjusted gross income.

         (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 7(a), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 7, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, and the assumptions to
be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by the public
accounting firm that is retained by the Company as of the date immediately prior
to the change in ownership or control (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive
within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from the Company or
the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is
requested by the Company (collectively, the "Determination"). In the event that
the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual,
entity or group effecting the change in ownership or control, Executive may
appoint another nationally recognized public accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred
to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm shall be borne solely by the Company and the Company shall enter into any
agreement requested by the Accounting Firm in connection with the

                                       15
<PAGE>

performance of the services hereunder. The Gross-up Payment under this Section 7
with respect to any Payments shall be made no later than thirty (30) days
following such Payment. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is
payable by Executive, it shall furnish Executive with a written opinion to such
effect, and to the effect that failure to report the Excise Tax, if any, on
Executive's applicable federal income tax return will not result in the
imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. The Determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive. As a result of
the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of
the Determination, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have
been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment") or Gross-up
Payments are made by the Company which should not have been made
("Overpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder.
In the event that the Executive thereafter is required to make payment of any
Excise Tax or additional Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the
amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment (together
with interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code and any
penalties payable by Executive) shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for
the benefit of Executive. In the event the amount of the Gross-up Payment
exceeds the amount necessary to reimburse the Executive for his Excise Tax, the
Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Overpayment that has been made
and any such Overpayment (together with interest at the rate provided in Section
1274(b)(2) of the Code) shall be promptly paid by Executive (to the extent he
has received a refund if the applicable Excise Tax has been paid to the Internal
Revenue Service) to or for the benefit of the Company. Executive shall
cooperate, to the extent his expenses are reimbursed by the Company, with any
reasonable requests by the Company in connection with any contests or disputes
with the Internal Revenue Service in connection with the Excise Tax.

         8. Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges that: (i) the
            ------------------------
business of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates is intensely
competitive and that Executive's engagement by the Company requires that
Executive have access to and knowledge of confidential information of the
Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including, but not limited to, the
identity of customers, the identity of the representatives of customers with
whom the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates have dealt, the kinds of
services provided by the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates to
customers and offered to be performed for potential customers, the manner in

                                       16
<PAGE>

which such services are performed or offered to be performed, the service needs
of actual or prospective customers, pricing information, information concerning
the creation, acquisition or disposition of products and services, customer
maintenance listings, computer software applications and other programs,
personnel information and other trade secrets (the "Confidential Information");
(ii) the direct and indirect disclosure of such Confidential Information to
existing or potential competitors of the Company and its subsidiaries and
affiliates would place the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates at a
competitive disadvantage and would do damage, monetary or otherwise, to the
business of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates; and (iii) the
engaging by Executive in any of the activities prohibited by this Section 8 may
constitute improper appropriation and/or use of such information and trade
secrets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not
include information which (x) is or becomes part of the public domain through a
source other than Executive, (y) is or becomes available to Executive from a
source independent of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, or (z)
constitutes general industry knowledge possessed by Executive by virtue of
Executive's employment with the Company. Executive expressly acknowledges the
trade secret status of the Confidential Information and that the Confidential
Information constitutes a protectable business interest of the Company and its
subsidiaries and affiliates. Accordingly, the Company and Executive agree as
follows:

         (a) During the Term of this Agreement and for three years following
Executive's Date of Termination, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly,
whether individually, as a director, stockholder, owner, partner, employee,
principal or agent of any business, or in any other capacity, make known,
disclose, furnish, make available or use any of the Confidential Information,
other than in the proper performance of the duties contemplated herein or as
required by law or by a court of competent jurisdiction or other administrative
or legislative body; provided, however, that prior to disclosing any of the
Confidential Information to a court or other administrative or legislative body,
Executive shall promptly notify the Company so that the Company may seek a
protective order or other appropriate remedy.

         (b) Executive agrees to return all Confidential Information, including
all photocopies, extracts and summaries thereof, and any such information stored
electronically on tapes, computer disks or in any other manner to the Company at
upon

                                       17
<PAGE>

request of the Company and upon the termination of Executive's employment for
any reason.

         9. Nonsolicitation. During the Term of this Agreement and for a period
            ---------------
of two years after the Date of Termination Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, solicit, interfere with, hire, offer to hire or induce any person
who is an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and
whose salary is in excess of $50,000 to discontinue his or her relationship with
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates and accept employment by,
or enter into a business relationship with, Executive or any other person or
entity.

         10. Antidisparagement.
             -----------------

             (a) Unless otherwise required by a court of competent
jurisdiction or pursuant to any recognized subpoena power, Executive agrees and
promises that Executive shall not make any oral or written statements or reveal
any information to any person, company or agency which (i) is negative,
disparaging or damaging to the name, reputation or business of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or any of their shareholders, directors,
officers or employees, or (ii) has or would have a negative financial impact,
whether directly or indirectly, on the Company or any of its subsidiaries and
affiliates, or any of their shareholders, directors, officers or employees.

             (b) Unless otherwise required by a court of competent
jurisdiction or pursuant to any recognized subpoena power, the Company agrees
and promises that neither it nor any of its subsidiaries and affiliates shall
make any oral or written statements or reveal any information to any person,
company or agency which (i) is negative, disparaging or damaging to the name,
reputation or business of Executive or (ii) has or would have a negative
financial impact, whether directly or indirectly, on Executive.

         11. Injunctive Relief.
             -----------------

             (a) Executive acknowledges that a breach of the undertakings
in Sections 8, 9 or 10(a) of this Agreement would cause irreparable damage to
the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, the exact amount of which shall
be difficult to ascertain, and that remedies at law for any such breach would be
inadequate. Executive agrees that, if Executive breaches or attempts or
threatens to breach any of the undertakings in Sections 8, 9 or 10(a) of this
Agreement, then the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief without
posting bond or other

                                       18
<PAGE>

security, in addition to any other remedy or remedies available to the Company
at law or in equity.

             (b) The Company acknowledges that a breach of the undertakings
in Section 10(b) of this Agreement would cause irreparable damage to Executive,
the exact amount of which shall be difficult to ascertain, and that remedies at
law for any such breach would be inadequate. The Company agrees that, if the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates breaches or attempts or
threatens to breach any of the undertakings in Section 10(b) of this Agreement,
then Executive shall be entitled to injunctive relief, without posting bond or
other security, in addition to any other remedy or remedies available to
Executive at law or in equity.

         12. Withholding Taxes. The Company may withhold from all payments due
             -----------------
to Executive (or his beneficiary or estate) hereunder all taxes which, by
applicable federal, state, local or other law, the Company is required to
withhold therefrom.

         13. Indemnity. The Company shall hold harmless and indemnify Executive
             ---------
against any and all expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgements, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Executive in
connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or
proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (including
an action by or in the right of the corporation) to which Executive is, was, or
at becomes a party, or is threatened to be made a party, by reason of the fact
that Executive is, was, or at becomes a director, officer, employee, or agent of
Company, or is, or was serving, or at serves at the request of Company as a
director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust, or other enterprise; or otherwise to the fullest extent as may
be provided to Executive by Company under the nonexclusivity provisions of
Article XVIII of The Articles of Incorporation of Company and Kansas law.

         14. Reimbursement of Expenses; Mitigation. (a) If any contest or
             -------------------------------------
dispute shall arise under this Agreement involving termination of Executive's
employment with the Company or involving the failure or refusal of the Company
to perform fully in accordance with the terms hereof, the Company shall
reimburse Executive, on a current basis, for all legal fees and expenses, if
any, incurred by Executive in connection with such contest or dispute or
incurred by Executive in seeking advice with respect to any such matters
(regardless of the result thereof), together

                                       19
<PAGE>

with interest in an amount equal to the prime rate of Chase Manhattan Bank from
time to time in effect, but in no event higher than the maximum legal rate
permissible under applicable law, such interest to accrue from the date the
Company receives Executive's statement for such fees and expenses through the
date of payment thereof, regardless of whether or not Executive's claim is
upheld by an arbitration panel or court.

             (b) Executive shall not be required to mitigate any payment
the Company becomes obligated to make to Executive under this Agreement.

         15. Scope of Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to
             ------------------
entitle Executive to continued employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries;
provided, however, that any termination of Executive's employment during the
Term of this Agreement shall be subject to all of the provisions of this
Agreement.

         16. Successors; Binding Agreement. (a) This Agreement shall not be
             -----------------------------
terminated by any sale, merger or other business combination. In the event of
any such sale, merger or other business combination, the provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding upon the surviving corporation, and such surviving
corporation shall be treated as the Company hereunder.

             (b) The Company agrees that in connection with the sale,
merger or other business combination, it will cause any successor entity to the
Company unconditionally to assume (and for any Parent Corporation in such
business combination to guarantee), by written instrument delivered to Executive
(or his beneficiary or estate), all of the obligations of the Company hereunder.

             (c) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If
Executive shall die while any amounts would be payable to Executive hereunder
had Executive continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided
herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to such
person or persons appointed in writing by Executive to receive such amounts or,
if no person is so appointed, to Executive's estate.

         17. Notice. (a) For purposes of this Agreement, all notices and other
             ------
communications required or permitted hereunder

                                       20
<PAGE>

shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered
or five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, certified and return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

                  If to the Executive:

                  If to the Company:
                  Western Resources, Inc.
                  818 S. Kansas Avenue
                  Topeka, KS 66612
                  Attention:  General Counsel

or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.

             (b) A written notice of Executive's Date of Termination by the
Company or Executive, as the case may be, to the other, shall (i) indicate the
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent
applicable, set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed
to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision
so indicated, and (iii) specify the Date of Termination. The failure by
Executive or the Company to set forth in such notice any fact or circumstance
which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right
of Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company from
asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing Executive's or the Company's
rights hereunder.

         18. Full Settlement; Resolution of Disputes. The Company's obligation
             ---------------------------------------
to make any payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall be in lieu and in full settlement of all other
severance payments to Executive under any other severance or employment
agreement between Executive and the Company, and any severance plan of the
Company. The Company's obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any
set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which
the Company may have against Executive or others. In no event shall Executive be
obligated to seek other employment or take other action by way of mitigation of
the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement
and except as otherwise provided in Section

                                       21
<PAGE>

6(a)(iii), such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not Executive obtains
other employment. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with
this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in Topeka, Kansas by
three arbitrators in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrators' award in
any court having jurisdiction. The Company shall bear all costs and expenses
arising in connection with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to this Section.

         19. Employment with Subsidiaries. Employment with the Company for
             ----------------------------
purposes of this Agreement shall include employment with any Subsidiary.

         20. Survival. The respective obligations and benefits afforded to the
             --------
Company and Executive as provided in Sections 6 (to the extent that payments or
benefits are owed as a result of a termination of employment that occurs during
the term of this Agreement), 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, and 21 shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.

         21. GOVERNING LAW; VALIDITY. THE INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND
             -----------------------
PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF KANSAS WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS. THE INVALIDITY OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY
PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF
ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHICH OTHER PROVISIONS SHALL REMAIN IN
FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.

         22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
             ------------
of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

         23. Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified or
             -------------
waived unless such modification or waiver is agreed to in writing and signed by
Executive and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. No waiver by either
party hereto at of any breach by the other party hereto of; or compliance with,
any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at
the same or at any prior or subsequent time. Failure by Executive or the Company
to insist upon strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or to
assert any right Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including without
limitation, the right of Executive to terminate

                                       22
<PAGE>

employment for Good Reason, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision
or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement. Except as otherwise
specifically provided herein, the rights of, and benefits payable to, Executive,
his estate or his beneficiaries pursuant to this Agreement are in addition to
any rights of, or benefits payable to, Executive, his estate or his
beneficiaries under any other employee benefit plan or compensation program of
the Company.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company and Executive has executed
this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                   WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.

                                   By: _____________________________

                                   Title:___________________________

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

                                       23

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00023-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00023-of-00352.parquet"}]]