Residents in parts of Kisumu and Kakamega counties are set to experience a scheduled power outage on Friday, following an announcement by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). The planned disruption will last from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, as the utility firm conducts essential maintenance and upgrade operations on the power grid.
In Kisumu County, the affected areas include Kona Legio, Kona Mbaya, Manyatta Market, Kisumu Polytechnic, Sije, Mbeme Junction, and nearby regions. Meanwhile, in Kakamega County, the outage will impact Musanda Market, Bungatsi, Navakholo Market, Huchisi Market, Stigume, Matawe, and their surrounding neighborhoods.
Kenya Power regularly performs such planned outages to facilitate routine system maintenance, connect new customers, or upgrade infrastructure. According to the company, these proactive measures are critical for improving the reliability and efficiency of electricity supply across the country.
“Scheduled maintenance allows our engineers to work safely while ensuring that the power network remains robust and responsive to customer needs,” a Kenya Power spokesperson stated. “We urge all affected customers to make necessary arrangements in advance to mitigate any inconveniences caused.”
Aside from scheduled works, the utility also deals with unplanned power interruptions triggered by faults, equipment failure, or environmental factors. Notably, power lines can be damaged by heavy rains, strong winds, or even wildlife. In a now-famous incident in 2016, a monkey caused a nationwide blackout after falling onto a transformer at the Gitaru Power Station, which disrupted the distribution of over 180 megawatts of electricity.
Kenya Power emphasizes that while scheduled outages are communicated in advance, some disruptions are inevitable due to circumstances beyond their control, including vandalism or emergency repairs.
The utility firm encourages residents in the affected regions of Kisumu and Kakamega to stay updated through official communication channels and prepare accordingly for Friday’s planned outage.
For further updates, customers are advised to monitor Kenya Power’s social media platforms and website.
