Power blackouts still haunt Kenya’s North Eastern region, particularly in such towns as Mandera and Wajir, as they cause a lot of frustration. The power shortages have been followed by protests that accuse Kenya Power of the disruption, with locals and politicians opposing the interruptions.
Mandera MP Hussein Waytaan stated that temporary measures were being put in place, including the use of standby generators, to cushion the situation until a lasting solution was found. He explained that electricity only reaches as far as Garissa, and Wajir and Mandera have no constant power supply.
Kenya’s President, William Ruto, had recently vowed to get power from Dollow in Ethiopia to tackle the issue. But he warned that this measure would be stopgap, as generators would continue to be needed until a permanent power line comes into place.
Residents of Mandera, who have been suffering the continuous loss of power, are now heading to Somalia for electricity services. MP Major Bashiir complained that since Ramadan commenced, residents have lost electricity in Mandera, and are forced to seek such primary services as cold water and refrigeration in Beledweyne, Somalia.
Also in Wajir, the situation is the same, with residents having blackouts caused by power, which have risen since 2017 due to high population growth and higher electricity requirements. Business Executive Muumin Haamud noted that businesses are greatly affected by the power outages, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.
The recurring power battles have highlighted the demand for a stable and sustainable power grid in Kenya’s North East region of the nation, and the residents now look towards Somalia, the bordering country, for solutions.