Kenya Power technicians at work./FILE
Several areas in five counties will experience scheduled power interruptions on Wednesday, Kenya Power has announced.
Kenya Power listed the counties as Nairobi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kakamega and Nyeri. In Nairobi,Ngumba Estate and adjacent customers will be without power from 9am-5pm.
In Kajiado, the Matasia area will be without power from 8 am-5 pm.
Affected areas include Saina, Bluesky, Oloosuyian, Oloyankalani, Saab Royal, Suguna Feeds, Kajiado Referral Hospital, Masai Polytechnic, Moipei, Kajiado County Government, Sambel, Masai Mara, Tata Chemicals, Esokota, Saina Airstrip, Kajiado Town and adjacent customers.
Chepsirei and Kapkayo areas in Elgeyo Marakwet county will be affected by the interruptions.
Chepsirei TTI, Chepsirei NYS, Kapkayo Market, Kocholwo Market, Teber, Setano, Enego and adjacent customers will be without power from 10am-5pm.
Matungu Market in Kakamega County in Western Kenya will experience a power outage from 9 am-5 pm. Kholera Primary, Kholera Village, Matungu Market, Harambee Market, Mayoni, Panyako, Bulimbo, Koyonzo and adjacent customers will be affected.
Rititi and Gatunganga areas in Nyeri County in Mt Kenya region will not have power from 9 am-5 pm.
Interruptions will affect Rititi Market, Cheru, Kianjogu, Kianjogu C/Fact, Thaithi Market, Mahiga Springs, Gatiko, Kinguku, Ngaini Market, Rathithi, Kahira-Ini C/Fact, Gatunai, Gatunganga Market, Mukanyaritho Village, Maganjo, Maganjo Secondary School, Chieni Mikundi Market, Hiriga Secondary School, Manorero, Safaricom Boosters, Airtel Boosters and adjacent customers.
Chriss Pole Yard, Lusoi Hotel, Thung’ari Water Pump, Everest and adjacent customers will also be affected by the scheduled interruptions.
WHY POWER INTERRUPTIONS ARE NECESSARY
Kenya Power performs planned and unplanned interruptions for various reasons, including network maintenance, upgrades, connecting new customers, and addressing faults or emergencies.
Network maintenance and upgrades are usually scheduled outages to allow Kenya Power engineers to perform essential maintenance and upgrades on the power grid to enhance reliability and efficiency.
During road construction or other infrastructure projects, power lines may also need to be replaced, requiring temporary outages but with prior notice to affected customers.
However, unplanned power interruptions can occur due to reasons beyond Kenya Power's control.
These include unforeseen faults and equipment failure, which can lead to power outages requiring temporary service interruptions to fix the fault.
Vandals can also damage power infrastructure, leading to outages and the need for repairs, which may involve temporary power supply interruptions.
Other times, extreme weather conditions like windy rainfall can damage power lines and equipment, causing outages and the need for repairs.
In some instances, wildlife like elephants can cause damage to power lines, leading to outages.
