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The customer’s supply had been cut off in a bid to force him to pressure his brother to pay a Sh133,000 outstanding bill. /CFM

Kenya

Industries to be hit by power rationing

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jul 25 – Kenya Power will commence an electricity rationing program in various industrial parts of the county from Wednesday this week, due to the current generation challenges.

The load shedding program which will be implemented on a rotational basis will be effected for three hours from 6.30pm and last up to 9.30pm.

Nairobi’s Industrial Area and Baba Dogo, various tea growing zones such as those in Central Rift and Mt Kenya region as well as schools will be among the most affected areas.

“In Nairobi region, parts of Baba Dogo area, Chandaria Industries, KENAFRIC, EZP complexes, parts of Nanyuki Road, Kampala Road Londiani and Likono Road will have their power interrupted from 6.40 pm to 9.30 pm,” said the company in a statement on Monday.

The firm blamed the unavailability of the contracted 26 Megawatt (MW) of electricity from Mumias Sugar company’s co-generation plan  and delayed installation of new power generators due to prolonged procurement procedures as some of the factors that were behind the action.

“There has been insufficient power generation reserve margin to meet the ever rising national power demand. Consequently, Kenya Power has experienced a challenge in meeting the demand during the evening peak period in various parts of the country,” the firm explained.

The utility company however added that care will be taken to exempt sensitive installations such as hospitals, security and water supply facilities.

Kenya Power said the schedule will only be reviewed as the power situation improves.

The situation in Western Province for instance is expected to ease in two to three months once an emergency 60 Megawatt power plant is installed at Muhoroni.

Many parts of the country have been experiencing blackouts in the last few months but Kenya Power has always denied claims that it was rationing it.

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The load shedding program is however expected to cause uproar from manufacturers whose operations are bound to be impacted negatively.

The last time Kenya experienced a scheduled interruption of power was in 2009 which lasted for four weeks and which was due to the low levels at Masinga Dam.

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