Energy Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma has called for implementation and proposed reforms in the power sector following Tuesday and yesterday’s intermittent power outages.
According to Juma, the power outages experienced in the last two days underscore the imperative and urgency of reform execution to ensure stable and reliable power supply.
She also stated that the Ministry of Energy is working to ensure it does not recur again.
“The Ministry of Energy is hard at work to ensure that the experience of the last two days not recur,I commend our staff from kenya power and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO1) who worked around the clock to repair the faults and restore power across the country,” she said.
She has urged all Kenyans, institutions, employees in the energy sector, and the relevant partners to rally behind and support reforms.
“I call upon all Kenyans, institutions, employees in the energy sector and our partners to rally behind and support these reforms,” she said.
This comes after the Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) George Kinoti announced probe into Kenya Power operations following the intermittent power outages.
Kinoti said that his officers had taken interest in the collapse of four steel pylons in Nairobi Imara Daima that caused a nationwide blackout for hours.
“We cannot rule out anything until investigations establish the probable cause,” he said.
Kenya Power initially attributed the major power blackout on vandalism by scrap metal dealers which had weakened the heavy structures.
According to the utility company the vandals came from the nearby Mukuru kwa Njenga slums from where the incrementally cut away at the towers usually at night and late sold the steel pieces to scrap metal dealers.
During Jamhuri Day celebrations the President announced the implementation of the second phase of the 15 per cent reduction in power tariffs, which is part of reforms in the energy sector.
The 15 per cent reduction in power tariffs in the country as gazetted on 7th January 2022 will allow manufacturers to enjoy a cost reduction of between Kenya shillings of 2.67 – 3.64 per unit of electricity.
