Prolonged blackouts plague Eastleigh, causing business closures and security concerns

Residents of Biafra, Kinyago, Kanuku, and Blue Estates in Eastleigh, Nairobi County, have voiced their frustration over the prolonged power outage that has persisted for months, significantly impacting their daily lives. Following reports of a blackout on July 4, 2023, locals expressed dismay at the delayed response from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC). Hussein Mohammed, a local shop owner, shared the challenges faced by businesses in the area, emphasizing the difficulty of stocking perishable goods without refrigeration. "We have really suffered when it comes to electricity. Our businesses have been affected, and we still have to dig deeper into our pockets to buy standby generators," lamented Hussein.

Abdi, a concerned resident, also raised security concerns in the area, attributing the rise in criminal activities to the prolonged blackouts. "We no longer feel safe walking at night in Biafra due to these prolonged blackouts, and incidents of attacks from criminal gangs have been on the rise," said Abdi.

While the replacement of the faulty transformer by KPLC on October 25, 2023, brought temporary relief to the residents, the looming question of how long the new equipment would last before another blackout continues to weigh on their minds.

Furthermore, the persistent blackouts have forced some traders to shut down their businesses, while landlords have grappled with an exodus of tenants in the affected areas.

In another part of Eastleigh, residents and business owners along General Wariungi Street have voiced their concerns over the persistent darkness engulfing the area. Abdi Hussein, a confectionery seller, highlighted how the lack of streetlights has adversely affected his business, making his goods almost invisible to potential customers. "The darkness has made my goods almost invisible to potential customers. It's the visibility that used to attract them here," lamented Abdi. Drawing a comparison to neighboring Yusuf Hajji Road, where prompt repairs are executed, Abdi underscored the urgency for maintenance on General Wariungi Street.

Pedestrians, including Hassan Abdi, have emphasized the potential security risks stemming from the pervasive darkness, urging the city authorities to take immediate action. "Thugs might exploit the cover of darkness to attack us. The city council must repair the street lights to ensure our safety," emphasized Hassan.

Despite repeated attempts to reach the County engineer his phone went unanswered, the dysfunctional street lights along this stretch have remained unresolved for over five months, leaving residents and business owners in a state of uncertainty and vulnerability.

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