Nairobi: Residents of Hulugho Sub-County in Garissa County's Ijara Constituency have been experiencing a total power outage for the last two weeks following the breakdown of the only generator that has been supplying electricity to the area for the past three years.
According to Kenya News Agency, residents led by Mr. Sambur Abdullahi, Mohamed Ahmed, and Mama Sofia, all local business owners, lamented that the generator had become defective, forcing many to turn to solar energy. Those unable to afford solar systems have been relying on lamps and battery-powered torches to light their homes.
Local traders expressed concern that the outage has severely disrupted business. The only petrol stations in Hulugho township have resorted to using standby generators, while mechanics and jua kali artisans have been unable to operate for the past two weeks.
The residents appealed to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to urgently repair or replace the faulty generator. They noted that Hulugho, which borders Somalia and lies close to the insecure Boni Forest, faces heightened challenges due to its remote and sensitive location.
Mama Sofia, a trader, said that perishable goods such as milk and vegetables have gone bad, while soft drinks are undrinkable because they cannot be refrigerated in the scorching heat. Only a few business owners with solar energy systems have managed to keep operating.
The residents further appealed to Ijara MP Abdi Ali Sheikhow and Garissa County Senator Abdul Mohamed Haji to intervene and help resolve the crisis.
Essential facilities, including Hulugho Sub-County Hospital, have been severely affected. Learning institutions such as Hulugho Girls and Hulugho Boys Secondary Schools are also worried, with KCSE examinations fast approaching and students unable to study at night due to the blackout.
When contacted for comment, Hola KPLC Operations Manager Joseph Hezron referred KNA to the Garissa KPLC office. However, sources confirmed that the Garissa KPLC engineer was away in Nairobi on official duty.