North Rift Power Crisis: Over 11,800 Customers Lost as Power Outages Persist for Months
“Kenya Power’s records show that, in the year leading up to June 2023, the company lost over 7,000 customers in North Rift and nearly 5,000 in Central Rift.”
Kenya Power removed a transformer in Tito Village after a man was electrocuted while allegedly siphoning fuel. Residents have been without electricity for two months.
By Jessica Nyaboke
Tito Village Residents in Darkness for Nearly Two Months
Residents of Tito village in Trans-Nzoia County have endured a power outage for almost two months. The prolonged blackout has raised security concerns, leaving families vulnerable to crime.
The issue began when Kenya Power employees removed a transformer from the area. The company allegedly took this action after a middle-aged man was electrocuted while trying to steal fuel from the transformer.
Despite making numerous visits to Kenya Power’s offices in the Central Business District, residents say they have only received empty promises.
Fear of Insecurity and Disruptions to Daily Life
Without electricity, many residents struggle to carry out daily activities. A student, who requested anonymity, said she faces a tough choice between staying late at school to finish homework and risking a dangerous walk home in the dark.
“We live in fear every night. Walking home after sunset is unsafe,” she said.
Many families are unable to relocate to areas with electricity due to work and school commitments. “Moving is not an option for us. It would disrupt our children’s education and jobs,” a resident explained.
Wider Power Supply Challenges in North Rift
Tito’s electricity crisis reflects a broader trend in the North Rift region. Kenya Power’s records show that, in the year leading up to June 2023, the company lost over 7,000 customers in North Rift and nearly 5,000 in Central Rift. The primary reason was unpaid bills, leading to disconnections. Power Outages in North Rift Impact & Statistics.
Power Outages Affect Businesses and Economy
The blackout has significantly impacted local businesses. Shop owners, welders, and barbers are unable to operate, leading to losses.
Brian Babu, a barber in Kisii, shared his frustrations. “Some power cuts last a week. I still have to pay rent, but I have no income,” he said.
Joseph Njuguna, a poultry farmer in Nakuru, lost over 5,000 hatching eggs due to an eight-hour power outage. “I invested heavily, and just like that, everything was gone,” he said.
Regulatory Efforts and Future Solutions
Energy experts say better regulations are needed to improve power supply. During a recent meeting in Eldoret, Engineer Dr. Joseph Oketch stressed the need for transparency.
“People deserve to know how many blackouts occur annually and why they happen,” he stated.
Dr. Oketch and his team plan to visit Kisumu, Eldoret, and Nakuru to gather public opinions before drafting an energy regulation bill.
Meanwhile, some residents suggest breaking Kenya Power’s monopoly. However, Oketch warned that allowing more companies to supply electricity could increase costs. “More companies mean more employees and higher costs for consumers,” he said.
Billing Issues and Customer Frustrations
Apart from outages, many customers complain about billing problems. John Kurgut, a resident, said Kenya Power employees rarely visit homes to read meters. “We get high bills based on estimates, not actual usage,” he said.
The prolonged blackout in Tito village and the wider North Rift region highlights serious flaws in Kenya’s power supply system.
About Author
