Energy CS Davis Chirchir Speaks After 3rd Power Outage In 3 Months: "We're Ashamed"

• Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the recent nationwide blackout was caused by an overload on the Kisumu-Muhoroni line
• Chirchir said the frequent power blackouts were a challenge that the government was ashamed of but was working to resolve
• The CS warned that the blackouts might reoccur if the government does not invest in maintaining its systems

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has addressed the country over the frequent power outages.

On Monday, December 11, Chirchir said he was equally ashamed of the frequent power blackouts after the third outage hit the country in a span of three months.

"We are aware that there was a power blackout yesterday, and the question we are now asking is, why so frequently? I was at JKIA, flying in from Dubai, when the power went out yesterday. It is a challenge we are ashamed of as a country, and we must address it," Chirchir said.

Chirchir: What caused December 10 blackout?

Chirchir disclosed that the recent nationwide blackout was caused by an overload on the Kisumu-Muhoroni line.

The CS stated that the line, which was planned to carry 80 MW, was carrying 149 MW as of the time of the blackout.

"We know where the problem is. Sometimes the network trips when it's overloaded, and we are addressing those challenges (lack of investment in the network for a long time). It’s bound to happen again, but we will look at serious maintenance," he stated.

CS Chirchir revealed Kenya has taken a loan from South Korea and floated a tender for the construction of a new power line for Western Kenya.

"We have not invested much in the networks. We plan on giving out a number of networks to be built by private firms. This will ease putting pressure," he said.

What KPLC said about the blackout

As reported earlier, Kenyans were treated to an unusual Sunday evening after most of the country witnessed a blackout.

Taking to various social media platforms, they expressed their frustrations at the electricity provider after it emerged that the blackout equally affected Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) issued an apology to its customers following the outage.

"We are working to restore normalcy within the shortest time possible. An update on the restoration progress will be issued in due course. We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused," KPLC said.