Kenya Power has responded to protests by Kenyatta University (KU) students over a week-long power outage at one of their hostels, attributing the blackout to issues with a low-capacity transformer.
In a notice issued on Monday, January 27, the company explained that a transformer serving the Kiwanja area in Roysambu failed last year.
At the time, a replacement transformer with similar capacity was unavailable, forcing the installation of a temporary low-capacity transformer.
The area houses some KU students, who have since been affected by the power disruptions.
Kenya Power stated that a suitable transformer was secured and dispatched on Thursday, January 23, with a team instructed to install it and recover the temporary one.
However, the company reported that their efforts were disrupted when locals confronted the team as they commenced work.
“Upon starting the disconnection of the 315KVA transformer to facilitate the swap, locals threw stones, injuring several staff and damaging the truck that had ferried the team and the new transformer,” the company said in the statement.
The truck’s hydraulic system was damaged, its wheels punctured, and the windscreen smashed, forcing the team to abandon the installation.
The injured staff are receiving medical treatment.
“We are working with the relevant security agencies to resolve the challenges in Kiwanja to restore power supply at the earliest opportunity.”
Earlier that day, a section of KU students staged a protest along the busy Thika Superhighway in Kahawa to express their frustration over the blackout. The demonstration caused significant traffic disruptions as students erected barricades and lit fires on the road.
Also Read: KU Students Block Thika Road In Protest Over Week-Long Power Outage At Hostel
Glen Karani, President of the KU Students Association, told the media that the students had informed the relevant authorities about the power outage but had received no response.
“We have been without electricity at the KM hostel for a week now. We reported this issue to the authorities, but nothing has been done. We demand power restoration within 30 minutes, or we will block Thika Road,” Karani declared.
Karani further revealed that students had contacted the regional power manager and submitted formal requests, but instead of addressing the issue, the transformer was moved to another location.
“We wrote letters, made calls, and engaged officials, but they ignored us. Now they are relocating our transformer, which we will not allow,” he added.
The protest resulted in long delays for commuters on the highway, a critical connection between Nairobi and the central region. Students vowed to continue demonstrating until the power supply is restored, calling on both the university and Kenya Power to address the matter urgently.
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