Kenya Power has successfully restored electricity to 70% of areas affected by widespread power outages across the country on Friday morning. The update came just hours after the utility company reported the outage that disrupted power supply to numerous regions. In a statement, Kenya Power expressed gratitude to its customers for their patience as efforts continue to restore power to the remaining affected areas.
“We want to thank our customers for their patience as we work towards restoring normal service in the remaining areas,” the statement read.
Areas with Restored Power
Kenya Power has restored electricity in several regions, including Meru, Isiolo, Murang’a, Narok, Bomet, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Mombasa. Additionally, power restoration efforts have extended to the North Rift, Western, Central Rift, Nairobi, and Mt. Kenya regions. Specific areas that have had their power supply restored include Nyeri, Embu, Kirinyaga, Nanyuki, Nakuru, Naivasha, Thika, Eldoret, Kericho, Kakamega, Siaya, Busia, Vihiga, Kisumu, Bungoma, and Webuye.
Ongoing Restoration Efforts
Kenya Power has reassured the public that restoration efforts are ongoing in the remaining affected areas, with plans to complete the process by the afternoon. The company has committed to keeping the public updated on the progress of the restoration exercise through subsequent alerts.
“We will provide additional updates on the progress of the restoration exercise in subsequent alerts,” the company stated.
Extent of the Outage
The power outage that struck on Friday morning affected most parts of the country, causing significant disruptions to businesses, households, and essential services. Notably, the North Rift and Western regions were the only areas that initially escaped the blackout. While Kenya Power has made considerable progress in restoring electricity, the outage’s cause has yet to be disclosed. This has raised concerns among the public, especially given the frequency of power disruptions in recent months.
Impact on Daily Life and Businesses
The widespread power outage disrupted normalcy in various sectors, with many businesses forced to halt operations due to the lack of electricity. In Nairobi and other major urban centers, traffic lights were down, causing traffic jams and delays. Manufacturing plants, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure also felt the impact, with some facilities resorting to backup generators to maintain operations. The outage also affected remote working setups, with many Kenyans relying on stable electricity for internet connectivity.
For households, the outage posed challenges in carrying out routine tasks such as cooking, preserving food, and accessing information. Many residents expressed their frustrations on social media, calling for a quick resolution and better communication from Kenya Power regarding the cause of the outage and measures to prevent future occurrences.
Kenya Power’s Response
Kenya Power’s rapid response in restoring power to the majority of affected areas demonstrates its commitment to resolving the situation promptly. However, the lack of information about the cause of the outage has left many questions unanswered. Power reliability remains a critical issue in Kenya, with stakeholders urging the company to invest in infrastructure upgrades and maintenance to reduce the frequency of such disruptions.
As the company works to restore power to the remaining areas, the focus will likely shift to identifying the outage’s cause and implementing measures to prevent future occurrences. The situation underscores the need for robust energy policies and investments in alternative sources of power to enhance the country’s energy security.
Conclusion
Kenya Power’s swift action in restoring electricity to 70% of the affected areas is commendable, though the incident highlights ongoing challenges with the country’s power supply infrastructure. As restoration efforts continue, the public will be keenly awaiting further updates from Kenya Power and assurances that steps are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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