Wajir County stares at power crisis as KPLC warns it's running out of fuel

A power crisis is looming in Wajir County after the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) warned residents

to brace for potential power rationing due to the dwindling fuel supply at their station as a result of the El Nino rains that continue wreaking havoc in the region.

In a circular sent out to locals on Tuesday, KPLC disclosed that the floods have disrupted their supply chain, depleting reserves to dangerously low levels.

The power company said they were in urgent need of fuel replenishment within 10 days to avoid a complete shutdown, a move that could plunge the entire county into crisis.

Power shortages

Wajir heavily relies on standalone engines for electricity as it's not linked to the national power grid and the locals have been struggling with frequent power shortages.

Charles Kapsoi, a former manager of the off-grid station, highlighted the town's rapid growth as a challenge, compounded by the difficulty in sourcing engine parts, available only outside the country.

The repercussions of a potential blackout loom large, a factor which will affect businesses, household activities, and other essential services.

During floods, the absence of reliable electricity poses risks to public safety, particularly for hospitals and communication systems.

The Northern counties especially Mandera, Garissa and Coastal counties have borne the brunt of the devastating El Nino rains in Kenya, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life.

There are fears that those killed countrywide by the floods are over 60, a worrying rise from the 46 already declared by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki just a week ago on 13 November 2023.

The Kenya Red Cross Society puts the number of those displaced by raging floods at more than 80,000.

Michael Ayabei, Kenya Red Cross Head of Disaster Management, warned that the situation is worsening as the rains continue, with the country's Meteorological Department predicting rainfall to persist until January.