MANY parts of the north coast region remained without electricity for the second day on Tuesday after floods affected the Kilifi substation.
Kenya power energy transmission chief engineer Fanuel Tsuma said the power had to be shut down after flood water reached the main switch board at the Kilifi substation due to the heavy rains.
Tsuma said poor drainage system outside the power station led to the rising water levels inside the station.
The substation serves Kilifi county and some parts of Shanzu in Mombasa county.
“The last time we experienced such a thing was during the El-nino rains and the sewage system was repaired up to the Indian Ocean. However, there has been blockage after people covered the sewage system to create access roads,” said Tsuma.
Kenya power energy transmission chief manager Sammy Mwita said the situation shall come to normalcy after all the water has drained.
The power company promised to survey its main transmission line to the area to establish any damage created by the floods. "The shutdown was effected to avoid damages to both the transmission system and to safeguard customers from power surge," said Tsuma.
By yesterday, the company had hired a bulldozer to scoop the soil that blocked the open sewer line that drains the water from the power station to the ocean.
Most of those affected were the hotel industries who complained that the shutdown was unexpected and had affected their businesses.
