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Kenya Power moves to restore electricity to KU students after protests

The protests, which occurred along the Thika Superhighway, were triggered by an extended outage and disruptions linked to a transformer replacement

Kenya Power has reacted to protests by students of Kenyatta University residing around Kiwanja in Roysambu over power supply issues saying a suitable replacement transformer with a capacity of 200kVA has been acquired.

Kenya Power admits that the problem of power outage began late last year when a 200kVA transformer in the Kiwanja area failed to work. The company could not replace the inventory because it lacked a comparable replacement.

The protests, which occurred along the Thika Superhighway, were triggered by an extended outage and disruptions linked to a transformer replacement.

It further said to avoid an extended power outage, Kenya Power installed a larger-capacity transformer (315kVA) as a stopgap measure. Most students who study at Kenyatta University reside in the areas affected.

Kenya Power confirmed that a suitable replacement transformer with a capacity of 200kVA was secured last week and is scheduled for installation on Thursday, January 23, 2025.

Kenya Power’s team was tasked with recovering the 315kVA transformer and installing the new 200kVA unit. This recovery, the company explained, is consistent with their operational goal of optimising resource utilisation by deploying infrastructure based on demand.

However, the operation encountered significant challenges. As workers began to disconnect the 315kVA transformer, locals reportedly became hostile and attacked the team with stones.

The violence injured several staff members and caused significant damage to the truck transporting the new transformer. Kenya Power reported that the vehicle’s hydraulic system and wheels were damaged, as well as a shattered windscreen.

The injured team members were able to escape and are currently receiving medical treatment. The truck has since been moved to a workshop for repairs.

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Kenya Power’s statement reaffirmed its commitment to providing safe and reliable electricity to all customers while emphasising the importance of staff safety.

The company strongly condemned the violent actions, urging the public to collaborate with their efforts to restore services efficiently.

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