KPLC: Kenya Power Reveals Reasons Behind KU Hostels Blackout
Kenya Power has explained why a section of student hostels near Kenyatta University has been without electricity for at least a week, causing uproar among students.
On Monday, students protested along Thika Highway, demanding that power be restored.
#KENYA: CURRENT STATE AT THIKA ROAD AS MASSIVE NUMBER OF KU STUDENTS TAKE INTO THE STREETS PROTESTING OVER WEEK-LONG POWER OUTAGE
— MwanzoTV (@MwanzoTv) January 27, 2025
Transport along Thika Road has been brought to a standstill due to protests by Kenyatta University students near the Kahawa area. pic.twitter.com/QgPnlPPsz6
They constructed boulders and lighted bonfires, causing a large traffic bottleneck along the main highway.
According to a statement from Kenya Power, the regrettable situation began late last year when a 200kVA transformer serving the Kiwanja region in Roysambu failed.
The region, often known as KM, is home to hostels and other domestic establishments where some Kenyatta University students live, among other inhabitants.
Kenya Power stated that to mitigate a power outage in the area, a larger capacity transformer (315 kVA) was temporarily deployed because the business did not have a 200 kVA transformer on hand at the time.
On January 23, the business claimed a team of engineers was dispatched to the region to replace the high-capacity transformer with a low-capacity unit since its capacity exceeded the demand in the affected area.
“The team was under instruction to install the new transformer and recover the 315kVA unit that had been installed as a stop gap measure.,” Kenya Power said.
STATEMENT: KENYATTA UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ DEMONSTRATION OVER POWER SUPPLY SITUATION IN ROYSAMBU pic.twitter.com/raEXMnvvcW
— The Kenya Power & Lighting Company Plc. (@KenyaPower) January 27, 2025
“As soon as the team commenced disconnection of the 315kVA transformer to facilitate the swap, locals confronted them by throwing stones and injuring a number of staff, and damaging the truck that had ferried the team and the new transformer to the site.”
As a result, the team escaped with injuries, leaving the exchange in the middle and the area without power.
“The truck’s hydraulic system was damaged, wheels punctured, and the windscreen was smashed,” Kenya Power said.
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“The staff managed to escape after being beaten and harassed. They are receiving medical attention while the truck has been moved to the workshop for repairs.”
The firm stated that while it is devoted to delivering a safe and enough power supply to all of its customers, it is equally committed to maintaining the safety of its employees as they seek to ensure that electricity is available to all customers.
“Therefore, the company does not condone any form of violence against its staff. The company is working with the relevant security agencies to resolve the challenges in Kiwanja in a bid to restore power supply within the earliest opportunity,” Kenya Power.
“We call on the public to collaborate with us as we continue to power people for better lives.”
KPLC: Kenya Power Reveals Reasons Behind KU Hostels Blackout.
