NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya Power has once again left millions of Kenyans without power, announcing yet another nationwide power outage today, Friday, September 6, affecting nearly every corner of the country.
At 9:20 a.m., Kenya Power took to social media to announce the latest power disruption, the second major outage in less than a week.
“We are experiencing a power outage affecting several parts of the country except parts of North Rift and Western regions,” read the update. In its apology to customers, Kenya Power promised swift action, assuring the public that engineers were already working to restore electricity as soon as possible.
While this is not an isolated incident—power cuts have plagued Kenya for years—today’s blackout comes at a time when Kenyans are increasingly vocal about the reliability of the national grid.
The latest blackout couldn’t have come at a worse time for Kenya Power. Just yesterday, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi ordered the utility company to provide a comprehensive report detailing the technical, operational, and human capital capacity of the National Control Centre.
He also demanded an explanation for the frequent power failures, including last week’s national blackout that occurred during his homecoming event, which President William Ruto attended.
“We need answers,” said Wandayi on Thursday, September 5. “The Kenya Power board must embark on reforms immediately, which include reducing energy costs and enhancing system reliability.”
Wandayi’s reform demands are not just about stopping blackouts. He emphasized the importance of tackling broader issues within Kenya Power, including reducing energy losses, improving operational efficiency, and reviewing the company’s human capital strategy to better serve Kenyans.
He also put citizens with illegal power connections on notice, urging them to cease the practice, which has been contributing to the electricity losses across the country.
In a bid to address long-term issues, Wandayi outlined several measures aimed at transforming Kenya Power from a beleaguered institution into a reliable and financially sustainable one.
A central part of this overhaul includes reducing the country’s current energy loss rate of 24pc to the allowable level of 19.5pc within the next three years.
This, according to the CS, could lead to a substantial reduction in electricity prices—a welcome relief for consumers who have long decried the high cost of energy in Kenya.
With yet another blackout bringing the country to a standstill, the stakes couldn’t be higher for Kenya Power. But with pressure mounting from both the government and the public, the hope is that these sweeping reforms will finally put an end to Kenya’s persistent power woes.
