Kenya Government To Introduce Load Shedding In Efforts To End Frequent Nationwide Blackouts

• Chirchir said the problem was a surge in power that led to an overload in transformers at Olkaria 2 leading to the blackout
• Chirchir noted that the government was planning to begin load shedding to reduce strain on power lines in some areas
• He also disclosed that Kenya secured a loan from South Korea and issued a tender for the construction of a new power line in Western Kenya

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Addressing the media, Davis Chirchir, the Energy Cabinet Secretary, explained that the abrupt surge in power through the Juja-Lessos-Muhoroni link caused an overload at Olkaria 2 transformers and the Dandora-Juja transmission link, leading to a power outage as the power lines dropped.

The CS assured Kenyans that they knew what the problem was and have plans underway to stop the blackouts.

"We know the problem. We learnt it was an overload and we felt good because we can fix that problem very quickly unlike when it is a hit," CS Chirchir stated.

Chirchir noted that the government was planning to begin load shedding to reduce strain on power lines in some areas; however, he said it would be a form of scheduling so that the entire national grid does not fail.

What is load shedding?

According to KPLC, load shedding is the act or practice of temporarily reducing the supply of electricity to an area to avoid overloading the generators and it is most often applied to ensure continuity to a smaller number of customers when demand for electricity exceeds supply.

This means that once the government begins the load-shedding schedule, some parts of the country will be cut off from the grid for some time.

Building new power lines

Chirchir also disclosed that Kenya secured a loan from South Korea and issued a tender for the construction of a new power line in Western Kenya.

“We are building an alternative line to support the west of Kenya, through Narok- Bomet- Awendo to remove the constraint. We are ready to start and we are getting funding from South Korea and the Africa Development Bank,” he added.

Murkomen calls on police to probe JKIA staff following blackout

In other related news, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) was hit by a power blackout on the evening of Sunday, December 10.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen now wants the police to investigate the frequent power blackouts in the country, attributing the frequent power outages at the JKIA to a possible coverup or sabotage by government employees.

"Considering the frequency of the power disruption and taking into account the fact that JKIA is a facility of strategic national importance, we are making a formal request to the National Police Service to investigate possible acts of sabotage and coverup," Murkomen said.