Kenya Power has addressed demonstrations by Kenyatta University students along the Thika Superhighway, triggered by prolonged power supply issues in the Kiwanja area of Roysambu.
In a statement released on Monday, January 27, the utility company explained the cause of the power outage and outlined measures being taken to resolve the situation.
“Late last year, a 200kVA transformer serving the Kiwanja area in Roysambu failed. At the time, we did not have a similar unit in stock. To mitigate the power outage, a temporary 315kVA transformer was installed while an appropriate replacement was being sourced,” the statement read.
The Kiwanja area, which includes several residential establishments and hostels housing Kenyatta University students, has since relied on the temporary transformer.
Kenya Power confirmed that a new transformer with the ideal capacity (200kVA) was secured last week and dispatched for installation on January 23.
“Our team was instructed to install the new transformer and recover the 315kVA unit that was serving as a temporary solution,” the statement added.
However, the replacement process took a chaotic turn when the Kenya Power technical team faced violent resistance from locals.
“As soon as the team began disconnecting the temporary transformer, locals attacked them by throwing stones, injuring several staff members and causing extensive damage to the truck transporting the new transformer. The truck’s hydraulic system, wheels, and windscreen were all damaged,” the statement detailed.
Kenya Power noted that the injured staff are receiving medical treatment, while the damaged truck has been taken in for repairs.
“The Company is working closely with security agencies to address the situation in Kiwanja and restore power as soon as possible,” the statement concluded.
Earlier that day, Kenyatta University students held protests along the Thika Superhighway, decrying the extended power outage in the area. The disruption, they claimed, was exacerbated by the attempted removal of the temporary transformer.
KU Student President Glen Karani voiced the students’ frustrations: “We reached out to the regional manager and wrote a letter requesting power restoration, but nothing has been done. Now, they’re trying to take our transformer to another location, and we won’t allow it.”
The situation underscores the challenges of balancing infrastructure upgrades and community concerns, as efforts continue to resolve the power supply issues in Roysambu.
