Kenya Power and Lightening Company has been accused of sabotaging businesses run by residents on the border town of Chepilat in Nyamira.
Speaking to HiviSasa.com after a march against unprecedented power cuts without notice in the region on Wednesday, the residents gave the power supplying company an ultimatum of one week to find lasting solutions to the predicament.
According to them, the constant power blackouts throughout the week have made it impossible for them to transact businesses that require power, making the county lose revenue.
“KPLC has completely failed us on this one. It is improper to sabotage operations by cutting the power without notifying us. We have been losing millions of shillings and at the same time we are required to pay taxes to the authorities,” said Mr Richard Ondieki,a local trader.
They said the menace had resulted to closure of some businesses with some owners relocating to nearby trading centres as a way of running from the crisis.
“It has been worsening daily and I think they have top act to return normalcy in this busy town. Some of our business colleague have relocated to nearby towns such as Sotik and Kaplong. This means Nyamira County government will continue losing revenue," added Mr Patrice Matara.
However, KPLC Sotik region assistant coordinator Peter Mwaura blamed the blackout on persistent looting of transformers in the region to unknown people.
“We are not the problem and they should instead blame themselves. They are aware of vandalism targeting transformers in the township and none of the residents is bold enough to help us tackle the stalemate,” he said.