Kenya Business Owners Count Losses From KPLC Electricity Interruption: "I've Lost Over KSh 80k"

• Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) confirmed electricity supply system disturbance that led to a nationwide blackout
• Kenyans raised concerns over the inconveniences caused by the national utility distributor on Friday, August 25
• Business owners, especially small traders without power backup, encountered losses, demanding compensation from KPLC

Kenyans have raised concerns over the sudden nationwide blackout experienced on Friday, August 25, demanding accountability from Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).

Business owners, especially small traders dealing in perishable products like milk and meat, recounted losses running from Friday night to Saturday, August 26.

The majority who had no power backup plans complained, making losses through products that went spoilt over the week.

How Kenya Power blackout affected transport

Expert at Roam Electric, Albin Wilson, said the unexpected power outage across the country had some impact on many businesses, especially the transport sector.

"The blackout had some impact on the transport sector. Motorists using electric vehicles... were affected, but not that much because of backup batteries.

"Petrol stations also require electricity to pump the gas. Therefore, in a way, their operations were affected, impacting the transport sector. You saw how earlier this year how lack of petrol affected the sector," said Albin Wilson, in an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke.

Wilson noted that the company's operations were not affected that much, adding that the blackout was an important lesson for Kenya.

Petroleum Outlets Association of Kenya (POAK) chair Martin Chomba cautioned the government to take responsibility.

"We sell like 100 million litres of petroleum products per day, and the government is supposed to collect KSh 60 per litre. Therefore, if you multiply that number, you will see that we lost billions of shillings in tax for the 12 hours and more," said Chomba, speaking on Citizen TV.

Chomba argued that it was not the business owners who lost but also the government, urging it to put contingency plans in place.

Fresh food traders loss from KPLC blackout

Fish and meat sellers recounted losses running to thousands of shillings following the power outage.

"We have paid Kenya Power. They should be responsible and pay us for this loss. We have loset lost KSh 80,000 and even more," said Lencer Basueti, a businesswoman speaking to Citizen TV.

Other businesses that operate until night hours, including tax, restaurants, bars were forced to halt their operations due to the blackout.

KPLC explains what caused nationwide blackout

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) noted it experienced a system disturbance at 9:45pm, leading to the loss of bulk power supply to various parts.

The utility firm restored power at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Saturday, August 26, apologising to Kenyans and consumers for the inconvenience.

"Our teams are working to restore electricity to all areas across the country that were affected by the outage. We apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience," said KPLC.