Lamu residents issue 14-day ultimatum to Kenya Power over frequent power outages

Residents, leaders, and activists within Lamu County are urgently calling upon Kenya Power to address the recurring power outages and repair essential infrastructure.

The area has been grappling with nearly daily power cuts since September 2023, resulting in substantial losses for traders, particularly those with perishable goods stored in refrigerators.

At a press conference held on Lamu Island, nominated senator Shakila Abdalla and a coalition of residents and activists issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government and Kenya Power to resolve the ongoing issue.

Shakila claimed the outages were a deliberate tactic used by the authorities to marginalise and neglect Lamu County, urging for the replacement of negligent Kenya Power supervisors serving the area.

Expressing frustration, the legislator emphasised the adverse impact these outages have had on various sectors, including business, tourism, and fishing, underscoring repeated pleas for permanent repairs that have been disregarded.

The ultimatum set a deadline of January 7, 2024, for action; otherwise, they threatened to mobilise for the removal of Kenya Power officials from Lamu, demanding reliable electricity for the upcoming year.

Raya Famau, Director of the Lamu Women Alliance, highlighted the detrimental effects on healthcare, specifically during surgeries for women in hospitals.

Famau pointed out the damage caused to critical hospital equipment, including CT Scan machines, generators, and kidney dialysis machines, due to the persistent power interruptions.

Kassim Abdi, a local general store owner, emphasised the urgency for Kenya Power to address the erratic outages and urged the government to compensate affected individuals for the losses incurred, stressing the detrimental impact on businesses due to the spoilage of goods and damage to electronic devices.

The collective plea from residents, activists, and leaders emphasises the urgent need for stable electricity in Lamu County and calls for immediate action from the authorities to rectify the situation and support the community adversely affected by these frequent power failures.