Planned Power Maintenance for October 17, 2024: Affected Areas in Nairobi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, and Kiambu Counties

The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has announced a planned power interruption scheduled for Thursday, October 17, 2024. This maintenance work, aimed at improving service delivery and ensuring the integrity of the electricity supply network, will affect various counties including Nairobi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, and Kiambu. KPLC’s initiative underscores the need for periodic upgrades and maintenance to minimize the risk of outages and ensure a more reliable power supply. Below are the details of the affected areas, the expected outage durations, and essential tips for the residents in the impacted regions.

Nairobi County

Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital, will experience power interruptions in two key areas on October 17. These include Marurui and parts of Dandora.

1. Marurui
   • Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
   • Areas Affected: Marurui AP Post, Marurui Primary School, Victory Church, and nearby customers.
   This outage is likely to affect residential areas, educational institutions, religious centers, and businesses within the vicinity. Given that Marurui is home to many residential communities, it’s advisable for residents to prepare adequately, especially if they rely on electricity for their daily operations. Schools, in particular, might need to make arrangements to ensure their activities continue smoothly despite the power cut.
2. Dandora (Part)
   • Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
   • Areas Affected: Parts of Lucky Summer, Tiba Primary, Ngunyumu Primary, Ngomongo, Dandora Dumpsite, Dandora Phases 2, 3, and 4, Co-op Bank, Uprising, and adjacent customers.
   The scheduled outage in parts of Dandora will affect a broad range of customers, including schools, businesses, and the residential blocks of Dandora Phases 2 to 4. Dandora, one of Nairobi’s most populated areas, hosts a significant number of low- to middle-income households and small businesses, meaning that the outage might cause substantial disruptions if not properly managed.

Elgeyo Marakwet County

Moving outside the capital, KPLC’s maintenance efforts will extend to the Turesia and Floupar regions in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

• Time: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
• Areas Affected: Turesia, Floupar, Kimwarer, Kapkayo, Kocholwa, Sego, Muskut, Emsea, Biretwo, Rogocho, Chegilet, Kabulwa, and nearby customers.

These areas are predominantly rural, with agriculture being the main economic activity. Power outages in such regions could affect essential services such as water pumping for irrigation, cold storage for perishable goods, and other farming-related machinery. In preparation, residents and businesses should take steps to minimize any potential losses, such as using backup generators or alternative energy sources.

Laikipia County

Laikipia County will also see power outages in two areas: Temu Estate, Cottage Hospital and Jua Kali, Naibor.

1. Temu Estate, Cottage Hospital
   • Time: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
   • Areas Affected: Temu Estate, Braeburn School, St. Christopher Primary, and adjacent customers.
   Given the presence of educational institutions and Cottage Hospital, this outage may have significant implications. The hospital, in particular, will need to ensure that critical medical equipment continues to operate by using backup power supplies like generators. Schools, meanwhile, should consider rescheduling lessons or preparing alternative teaching methods to ensure that learning is not unduly disrupted.
2. Jua Kali, Naibor
   • Time: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
   • Areas Affected: OXX Energy, Jua Kali Market, Mayan Hotel, Naibor Market, Daraja, Rititi Market, Enai Golf, Jessel, Tundra Farm Golf, and adjacent customers.
   The scheduled power cut will affect various commercial and residential areas. The Jua Kali Market, known for its vibrant informal businesses, could experience significant disruptions if traders are not adequately prepared. Businesses relying on electric tools or machinery may need to make alternative arrangements.

Kirinyaga County

In Kirinyaga County, residents of CMI Makutano, Sagana will be affected by the power maintenance.

• Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Areas Affected: Tebere Concrete, Atlantis, Galaxy Kaminji, Wachoro Boys Secondary School, Makutano Kaminji Side, CMI, Rukanga AP, Wanjuguma, Rukanga, Rukanga Dispensary, Meved Dairy, Kobil Shell, Riandira Market, Ngothi, Rapids Camp, Rukanga Safaricom Booster, Thanju Primary, Kwa V Market, Jungleman, HCDA Depot Sagana, and nearby customers.

The region hosts a mix of educational institutions, health facilities, and businesses, including Tebere Concrete and the Kobil Shell. This broad range of affected entities highlights the importance of power reliability in supporting the county’s economic activities. Schools, dairies, dispensaries, and other businesses should prepare in advance to mitigate the effects of the planned outage.

Kiambu County

In Kiambu County, power outages will occur in several areas, including Nazareth Hospital, Membley, Wataalam, and Munyu Dispensary, Magana.

1. Nazareth Hospital
   • Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
   • Areas Affected: Taka Taka Solutions, Kawamwaki Farm, Sycamore, Koba Waters, Black Petals Flowers, Nazareth Hospital, Utee Farm, Brook Hill School, Eldo Farm, Utungi, Jomalis, Clarency Methany Bible School, and adjacent customers.
   Nazareth Hospital, as a critical healthcare provider in the area, will need to ensure that life-saving equipment and essential services continue to function through backup power systems. Other businesses and farms in the area should also prepare for the outage to avoid disruption to their operations.
2. Membley, Wataalam
   • Time: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
   • Areas Affected: Githunguri Ranch, Membley Estate, Jack Ridge, Gitambaya, Wataalam, Githunguri Primary, Membley PCEA, Membley High School, Rorex, Full Gospel, Peak Academy, Fort Jesus, and nearby customers.
   Membley Estate and the surrounding areas are predominantly residential, and schools such as Membley High School and Peak Academy will be affected. Residents should take steps to minimize inconveniences, including ensuring they have alternative energy sources or necessary supplies to last through the outage period.
3. Munyu Dispensary, Magana
   • Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
   • Areas Affected: Magajo Primary, Barainya, St. Paul Gatuanyaga, Magana Primary, Munyu Girls, Munyu Dispensary, Munyu Police Station, Githima Shopping Center, Komo Shopping Center, and adjacent customers.
   Health facilities such as Munyu Dispensary and educational institutions like Magana Primary will be significantly impacted. Adequate preparation is essential to prevent disruptions, particularly for the health facilities that cater to the local community.

Preparation for the Scheduled Outage

For residents and businesses in the affected regions, preparing for the scheduled outage is crucial. Some steps that can be taken include:

• Backup Power: For hospitals, schools, and businesses, having a generator or alternative power source in place can ensure essential services continue during the outage. This is particularly important for hospitals where uninterrupted electricity is critical for life-supporting equipment.
• Charge Devices: Residents should ensure that all essential devices, such as phones, laptops, and backup batteries, are fully charged before the outage. This will help maintain communication and access to important services during the day.
• Plan Ahead: Businesses and educational institutions can reschedule important activities or shift to manual alternatives where possible. For example, schools might opt for outdoor activities or use the day for non-electrical lessons.
• Food and Water: For those dependent on electrically powered appliances such as refrigerators and water pumps, it’s advisable to store enough food and water to last through the outage.
• Communication: Staying informed about any changes in the outage schedule is important. Residents and businesses should keep an eye on KPLC’s social media updates or text alerts for any last-minute adjustments.

Conclusion

The planned power maintenance by KPLC on October 17, 2024, will affect various regions across Nairobi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Laikipia, Kirinyaga, and Kiambu counties. These power interruptions are part of the company’s efforts to enhance the quality of power supply in the long term. While the outages may cause short-term inconvenience, proper preparation by residents, businesses, and institutions can help mitigate the disruptions.