Residents of West Pokot County in Kapenguria have expressed disgust at the frequent power outages in the area. Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto called for the transfer of Kenya Power officers working in the area.
Moroto accused the Kenya Power office in the region of poor costumer service. “The officers in charge should take responsibility or if they are not ready to work, let them go,” he said.
The MP wondered if the staff in the region is qualified since the blackouts have been persistent for a long period without a solution. “We are losing millions of shillings due to power outages in this town and we are giving the management two weeks to solve the problem or we will move to court to demand compensation,” said Moroto.
Area residents and the business community said that power outages are unbearable and it is affecting their businesses.
They said that they continue to suffer losses running into millions of shillings due to lack of power in the area. Locals claim there is frequent power loss in the area especially during the rainy period and this has forced them to close business for long hours due to lack of power.
Even as locals from West Pokot County continues to experience the power outrage Turkwel Power Station is one of the major hydro-electric power stations in Kenya.
It is situated at Turkwel in West Pokot County and generates approximately 10% of the national electricity supply. However ,efforts to reach the area KPLC Manager to comment on the issue were futile as he could not answer phone calls and text messages sent to him.