Residents and traders in Ogembo town, Kisii County, have staged protests over a prolonged power outage that has crippled businesses, disrupted learning, and heightened insecurity. The blackout, which has persisted for more than three weeks, has left households, schools, and enterprises struggling to cope without electricity.
Community leaders Jane Kemunto and Florence Momanyi voiced concern that school‑going children, particularly those under the Competency‑Based Education (CBE) system, are unable to complete assignments that require phones, computers, and other digital tools. “Our children are suffering because they cannot do their homework without electricity,” Kemunto said. Momanyi warned that continued delays in restoring power could negatively affect academic performance.
The crisis has sparked anger among traders, who marched through Ogembo town carrying placards and chanting slogans before presenting grievances at the municipal offices and later at the Deputy County Commissioner’s office. Business owners accused Kenya Power of neglect and poor communication, saying repeated complaints have gone unanswered despite mounting economic losses.
According to traders, the outage began after the transformer serving the area was removed for repairs and has not been replaced. “The transformer was taken away for repairs, and since then, nothing has happened. We feel abandoned,” one trader lamented.
The blackout has hit electricity‑dependent businesses hardest. Salons and barbershops have been forced to suspend services, cyber cafés cannot print documents or provide internet access, and butcheries, electronic shops, and retail outlets are losing customers daily. Operators say the disruption has left them with no choice but to scale down or temporarily shut operations.
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Residents also raised concerns about rising insecurity, noting that darkness at night has increased fear among families and traders. “This issue should be treated as a priority because people’s livelihoods are at stake,” one community leader said.
In response, Deputy County Commissioner Esther Kung’u assured residents that the matter would be addressed urgently. “We understand the frustrations being faced by residents and business owners. We are engaging the relevant institutions to ensure power is restored as soon as possible,” she said.
Despite the assurances, the residents vowed to continue pushing for immediate action until electricity is restored in Ogembo, warning that continued delays could further cripple businesses and worsen economic hardships.
By Kimutai Langat
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