Residents protest frequent power outages

Bungoma, Kenya: Residents of Bungoma County have raised the alarm over frequent power outages in Bungoma town.

Since Sunday night, parts of Bungoma and Kakamega counties were without power, crippling most businesses in the region.

Bungoma County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed expressed outrage over the blackout.

“The losses being experienced in these counties run into hundreds of thousands of shillings. How can there be a blackout for 36 hours?” posed Maalim.

Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka said the blackouts were hurting the county’s economy and allowing criminals to take advantage and harm residents.

“If it is a matter of incompetence on the part of those involved in the distribution of electricity, then they should be transferred,” said Mr Lusaka.

The Bungoma Residents Association has threatened to launch protests against Kenya Power staff in the county.

Bernard Wakamala, the association’s chairperson, said residents were tired of being inconvenienced by outages.

“This trend must end. We are going to protest about this because the county government seems to be doing nothing,” said Wakamala.