EXHIBIT 4-a PAGE 1 STATE OF DELAWARE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE ____________ I, EDWARD J. FREEL, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF BUSINESS TRUST REGISTRATION OF "KCPL FINANCING I", FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1996, AT 12:20 O'CLOCK P.M. [SEAL] /S/EDWARD J. FREEL EDWARD J. FREEL, SECRETARY OF STATE 2693200 8100 AUTHENTICATION: 8233438 960362851 DATE: 12-11-96 CERTIFICATE OF TRUST OF KCPL FINANCING I THIS CERTIFICATE OF TRUST of KCPL Financing I (the "Trust"), dated as of December 10, 1996, is being duly executed and filed by the undersigned, as trustees, to create a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act (12 Del. C. Section 3801, et seq.). 1. Name. The name of the business trust being created hereby is KCPL Financing I. 2. Delaware Trustee. The name and business address of the trustee of the Trust with a principal place of business in the State of Delaware are First Chicago Delaware Inc., 300 King Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801. 3. Effective Date. This Certificate of Trust shall be effective as of its filing. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the only trustees of the Trust, have executed this Certificate of Trust as of the date first above written. FIRST CHICAGO DELAWARE INC., ANDREA F. BIELSKER not in its individual capacity not in her individual capacity but solely as Trustee but solely as Trustee By: /s/Steven M. Wagner By: /s/Andrea F. Bielsker Steven M. Wagner Vice President THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, not in its individual capacity but solely as Trustee By: /s/ John R. Prendiville John R. Prendiville Vice President