The ongoing heavy rains in Nyamira County have caught Kenya Power off-guard with a section of West Mugirango residents complaining of persistent blackouts and slow response by the company.
Speaking in Kebirigo market, which has reportedly been in a blackout for two days, a West Mugirango politician Mr Peter Oire said he has written to Kenya Power to dispatch emergency team to counter effects of El Nino.
“Electricity is essential in our day today activities and I have written to Kenya Power-South Nyanza branch to dispatch their emergency team to monitor the situation around,” he said.
The residents lamented that the region was losing a lot of revenue following persistent blackouts despite getting assurances by Kenya Power on quick response.
“There are many activities that cannot run without electricity and Kenya Power has to know. Many residents make their livelihoods from small businesses that are electricity dependent. The menace ought to be solved once and for all,” Oire added.
Kebirigo residents led by businessman Emmanuel Mong’are urged Kenya Power to replace old poles that were reportedly being uprooted by intensive rains.
“Many of electric poles around the constituency are old and need replacement. That is what Kenya Power should do to reduce the rate at which we are being subjected to blackouts,” he said.