The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has restored in Roysambu after Kenyatta University (KU) students’ demonstration along the Thika Superhighway on Monday, January 27, 2205.
In a statement, Kenya Power said it successfully restored power supply to Kiwanja area on Tuesday morning.
“Our team has recovered a 315kVA transformer that had been temporarily installed in the area and replaced it with a 200kVA transformer that is appropriate to serve energy demand in the area,” KPLC said.
Kenya Power said the team has recovered a 315kVA transformer that had been temporarily installed in the area and replaced it with a 200kVA transformer that is appropriate to serve energy demand in the area.
Earlier, Kenya Power said a 200kVA transformer serving Kiwanja area in Roysambu failed late 2024.
The Company said it did not have similar units in its stores that time and a bigger capacity transformer (315kVA) was temporarily deployed to the affected site to mitigate a power outage in the area while an appropriate replacement was being sought.
Kenya Power explained that the area is home to hostels and other domestic establishments where some students from KU reside, among other residents.
The Company secured an ideal transformer with the capacity to serve the Kiwanja area (200kVA) and dispatched it on January 23, 2025, for installation.
According to KPLC, the team was under instruction to install the new transformer and recover the 315kVA unit that had been installed as a stop gap measure.
“The recovery of the 315kVA transformer, whose capacity is bigger than the demand in the affected area, is in line with the Company’s goal to ensure that resources are utilized optimally,” Kenya Power said.
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Kenya Power Narrates How Locals Attacked Staff
However, KPLC said locals confronted that team as soon as they commenced disconnection of the 315kVA transformer to facilitate the swap.
KPLC said the locals threw stones at the team, injuring a number of them and damaging the truck that had ferried them and the new transformer to site.
The company revealed that the truck’s hydraulic system and wheels were damaged, and its windscreen was smashed.
“The staff managed to escape after being beaten and harassed. They are receiving medical attention while the truck has been moved to the workshop for repairs,” the Company said.
Message to Kenyans
Kenya Power said it is committed to upholding the safety of all its staff as they strive to ensure that electricity is available to all customers.
The Company emphasizes that it does not condone any form of violence against its staff.
Further, Kenya Power said it is working with the relevant security agencies to resolve the challenges in Kiwanja in a bid to restore power supply within the earliest opportunity.
“We call on the public to collaborate with us as we continue to power people for better lives,” KPLC said.
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KU Students Protests
The protests began on Sunday, January 27, when KU students blocked sections of Thika Road, causing significant traffic disruptions.
KU President Glen Karani stated that some students had been without electricity for a week.
Karani also revealed that students blocked KPLC officials from relocating the institution’s transformer to Runda, arguing that the transformer’s large capacity is essential for their area.
He warned that protests would continue until KPLC restores power.
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