KPLC: Why KU hostels are without power

Power engineers repair a transformer /FILE

Kenya Power has explained why a section of student hostels around Kenyatta University have been without electricity for at least a week, sparking outrage from students.

The students held protests on Thika Highway on Monday, demanding that power be restored.

They erected boulders and lit bonfires, resulting in a massive traffic jam on the busy highway.

In a statement, Kenya Power said the string of events leading to the unfortunate state of affairs date back to late last year when a 200kVA transformer serving the Kiwanja area in Roysambu failed.

The area, popularly known as KM, is home to hostels and other domestic establishments where some students from Kenyatta University reside, among other residents.

Kenya Power said to mitigate a power outage in the area, a bigger capacity transformer (315 kVA) was temporarily deployed as the company did not have in its stores a 200kVA transformer at the time.

The company said on January 23, a team of engineers was deployed to the area to swap the high-capacity transformer with a low-capacity unit because its capacity is bigger than the demand in the affected area.

"The team was under instruction to install the new transformer and recover the 315kVA unit that had been installed as a stop gap measure.  As soon as the team commenced disconnection of the 315kVA transformer to facilitate the swap, locals confronted them by throwing stones and injuring a number of staff, and damaging the truck that had ferried the team and the new transformer to the site," Kenya Power said.

As a result, the team escaped, but with injuries, leaving the swap midway and the area with no power.

"The truck's hydraulic system was damaged, wheels punctured, and the 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," Kenya Power said.

The company said whilst it's committed to providing safe and adequate power supply to all its customers, it's also committed to upholding the safety of its staff as they strive to ensure that electricity is available to all customers.

"Therefore, the company does not condone any form of violence against its staff. The company 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," Kenya Power.