Two-day power blackout disrupts Mombasa court

A power blackout that has hit the Mombasa Law Courts for two days has affected operations at the courts. “The high court 1 and lower court number 1 are in total darkness. Cases have been adjourned,” said a court clerk who requested anonymity. Other courts were affected as the air conditioners were not working.

With the sweltering heat some of the judges and magistrates resorted to many ‘short’ breaks to catch a breath from the fully packed court rooms. “I went to call the magistrate but he told me to come back when the generator starts operating,” another clerk told the Star.

“We have a generator that has enough fuel. We are told that we have to wait for someone to come from Changamwe to switch it on,” revealed a judicial officer based at the courts. KPLC head of corporate communications Bomba Mahaga said: “The shortage is attributed to a planned maintenance work going on in that area. Power will resume today at 5pm,” said Mahaga adding that it was communicated beforehand.