Residents across several counties in Kenya should brace themselves for scheduled power interruptions on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. Kenya Power has announced maintenance activities that will cause outages in specific areas from morning until late afternoon. The affected regions include parts of Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kisii, Murang’a, and Kiambu counties. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the areas impacted and what to expect during the outage.
Nairobi County: General Mathenge and Eldama Ravine
In Nairobi, the areas around General Mathenge Drive and Eldama Ravine will experience a power cut from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. This outage will also affect adjacent customers along Mpaka Road and Suswa Road. Residents and businesses in these areas are advised to prepare for the disruption, as it could impact daily operations and any planned activities requiring electricity.
Nakuru County: Soilo and Kabarak
In Nakuru County, power will be off from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in the Soilo and Kabarak areas. This interruption will affect Kabarak University, Kabarnet Ravine Daily, Oloika Hotel, and surrounding customers. Residents in these areas should ensure they have alternative power sources or make necessary arrangements to minimize inconvenience during the outage.
Kisumu County: Kombewa and Ober Kamoth
Kombewa in Kisumu County will experience an outage from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. This will affect critical institutions such as Kombewa Hospital, KEMRI Kombewa, and various markets, including Wangarot, Kolenyo, and Akado. Additionally, Ober Kamoth and surrounding areas will also face power cuts during the same hours, impacting local markets, hotels, and schools.
Kisii County: Parts of Kisii Town
Residents of Kisii Town should be prepared for a power outage from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Key institutions in this area, including Kisii Huduma Centre, KTRH, and the Kisii County Assembly, will be affected. The disruption is expected to impact government services, healthcare, and educational institutions, so residents and workers in these sectors should plan accordingly.
Murang’a County: Thika Greens and Delview
In Murang’a County, the areas of Thika Greens and Delview will have a scheduled power cut from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The outage will impact several hotels, manufacturing companies, and local businesses. Residents and businesses should consider powering down sensitive equipment and safeguarding any perishable goods during the outage.
Kiambu County: Kinoo and Muthiga
Lastly, in Kiambu County, parts of Kinoo and Muthiga will experience power interruptions between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. This will affect markets, schools, and local businesses in the area. Residents are advised to prepare for the day without electricity, ensuring that essential tasks are completed before the outage begins.
Impact and Recommendations
These scheduled power outages are part of Kenya Power’s ongoing efforts to maintain and upgrade the electricity infrastructure in the affected regions. While these maintenance activities are necessary to ensure reliable power supply in the long term, they can cause significant disruptions in daily life.
Residents and businesses in the affected areas should take precautionary measures such as:
- Ensuring backup power supplies are available, especially for critical services.
- Turning off and unplugging electrical appliances to prevent damage from potential power surges when electricity is restored.
- Planning for alternative cooking methods, such as using gas or charcoal stoves.
Communication and Future Maintenance
Kenya Power typically communicates upcoming maintenance activities through various channels, including local media, their website, and social media platforms. It’s advisable for residents and businesses to stay informed by regularly checking for updates to avoid unexpected disruptions.
While these power interruptions may cause temporary inconvenience, they are essential for maintaining the reliability and efficiency of the power grid. Residents and businesses should remain patient and cooperate with Kenya Power during these scheduled outages. If the work is completed ahead of schedule, power might be restored earlier than expected, so it’s important to remain vigilant and cautious.
By understanding the schedule and preparing adequately, the impact of these outages can be minimized, ensuring that normalcy returns as swiftly as possible once power is restored.
