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Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has announced scheduled power interruptions affecting parts of 13 counties on Thursday, October 2, 2025. The outages, slated to run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT in most areas, are necessary for critical network maintenance and system upgrades. The utility firm issued the notice on Wednesday, October 1, via its social media channels.

Context

The planned blackouts are part of KPLC's ongoing efforts to reinforce and upgrade its electricity distribution network. Such maintenance activities are routine and essential for ensuring the stability and reliability of power supply across the country. KPLC frequently schedules these interruptions to facilitate repairs, connect new customers, and replace aging infrastructure.

Affected Regions and Specific Areas

The counties impacted by the scheduled maintenance include Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Trans Nzoia, Kericho, Makueni, Busia, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Nyeri, Kiambu, Mombasa, Taita Taveta, and Meru.

• Uasin Gishu: Areas such as Kitingia and Burnt Forest will experience outages from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT, affecting locations like Kerita, Kapkoi, Bayete, Cherus, Ndungulu, Kaptega, Kapsundei, Sengalo, Chereber, Kapchorwa, Ndanai, Ngarua, Kondoo, Kapkeno, Languse, Kaptega Cheboror, and Ainabkoi.
• Nandi: Residents in Emrok and surrounding areas will be without power from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Trans Nzoia: Mois Bridge Centre, NCPB, Mois Bridge, Matunda, Natwana, Tenai, Bwayi, Milimani Centre, Simatwet Grain Millers, Conbelt Grain Millers, and adjacent customers will experience outages from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Kericho: Customers in Kipchimchim, including Laliet Quarry, Taiwet Factory, Gokul Quarry, West Valley Quarry, and Toror Tea Factory, will be affected from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Makueni: The entire Kaumoni region, encompassing Itangini, Mbumbuni, Kikima, Tawa KMTC, Tawa Market, Uvaani, Kiteta, Wanzauni, Kalawani, Mbooni Boys and Girls, Nzeveni, and Kyuu, will have no power from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Busia: Busia Town and its environs, including Busia County Offices, KPLC Office, and Busia County Referral Hospital, will be affected from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Kirinyaga: Mutira Girls and IS Mathenge areas, along with Kathiti Mutira, Karaini Coffee Factory, Riakiana Market, Kiangige Village, Kabonge, Hukoni Village, Kiaragana Market, Karuku TBC, will experience outages from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Murang'a: Muchungucha, Kiria, Yamugwe, Ndutumi, Kamaguta, Kayahwe, Gaitega, and neighboring areas will be affected from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Nyeri: Three zones are scheduled for outages from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT: Kiamathambo, Narumoru Girls and surrounding institutions (Karkuret Retreat Centre, Bagdad, Judea, Meere, Mbogoini A and B), and Kamune and Thuita areas (Kamune Market, Riakiberu Coffee Factory, Kamune Safaricom Booster, Iruri Market, Karugiro Coffee Factory, Gachirago Coffee Factory, Thuita Market, Githanga Secondary, Geitwa Market, St. Anne's Kiambugi Secondary School).
• Kiambu: Two separate blackouts from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT will affect Zambezi, Sigona, Nderi, part of Kari, Rumwe, and surrounding areas, as well as Kamwangi Market and its environs (Ngethu Lower Camp, Kariuki Muiruri, Ngorongo Dispensary, Ngorongo Market, Ndekei Secondary, Dry Village, Kariua, Kamwangi DC's, Kairi Market, Nguna Village).
• Mombasa: Parts of Buxton and Tudor, including Petro Saba Saba, Naivas Saba Saba, Hussein Bakery, High Life, Lucky Tots School, Afrigas, Ronald Ngala Primary School, Darajani Hotel, and Railways Club Mombasa, will experience outages from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Taita Taveta: The entire Maktau area, including KWS Maktau, Lumo Lions Bluff Conservancy, Godoma, Mwashoti, Kwa Mnegwa, Sarova Saltlick Hotel and Lodges, the whole of Ziwani Farm and Voyager Hotels, Langatenyi, Mto Mwagodi Weighbridge, and Mengo, will be affected from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Meru: The outage will begin earlier, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT, affecting areas such as Nchiru and Kagaene.

Law/Policy

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has proposed new regulations, the Draft Energy (Electricity Reliability, Quality of Supply and Service) Regulations, 2025, which would require KPLC to compensate consumers for extended unplanned blackouts. These regulations aim to address long-standing complaints from Kenyan businesses and households regarding frequent power outages. However, these proposed rules do not apply to planned outages where KPLC has issued prior notice.

Stakeholders

Key stakeholders include Kenya Power, which is responsible for electricity distribution; EPRA, the regulatory body; and millions of affected customers, including households and businesses. Analysts suggest that frequent power interruptions can impact public debate and policy execution, with calls for greater clarity on timelines, costs, and safeguards from stakeholders.

Evidence/Data

• Duration: Most scheduled outages will last approximately eight to nine hours, typically from 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Purpose: KPLC states the interruptions are for network maintenance and system upgrades. This includes inspecting and repairing lines and substations, replacing worn-out cables, and expanding the network.
• Network Upgrade Plan: Kenya Power launched a network upgrade program valued at approximately KSh 119 billion (USD 1 billion) in 2017 to improve power supply, particularly for industrial consumers. The initiative involves maintaining existing networks, upgrading substations and conductors, replacing wooden poles with concrete, and vegetation management.
• Customer Base: As of June 2025, KPLC serves 10.06 million customers.

Risks/Implications

Scheduled blackouts, while necessary for infrastructure improvement, can lead to significant disruptions for businesses and households. Businesses may incur losses due to halted operations, while households face inconvenience. The ongoing network upgrades are intended to reduce technical losses and enhance system efficiency, ultimately leading to more reliable power supply and minimizing the need for consumers to invest in alternative energy sources.

Unknowns

While KPLC has provided a list of affected areas, the precise number of individual customers impacted by these specific outages on October 2, 2025, remains unquantified in the provided input.

Timeline

• Wednesday, October 1, 2025: KPLC issues public notice of scheduled power interruptions.
• Thursday, October 2, 2025: Scheduled power interruptions occur from approximately 8:00 AM/9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT.
• Ongoing: KPLC continues its network upgrade program, which has been in effect since at least 2017.
• Future: Proposed EPRA regulations, if adopted, could introduce financial compensation for unplanned blackouts.

What to Watch

Monitor KPLC's official communication channels for any updates or changes to the scheduled maintenance. The progress and impact of the ongoing network upgrades on overall power reliability will be a key area to watch, as will the potential implementation of EPRA's proposed compensation regulations for unplanned outages.

Related

KPLC has previously announced similar scheduled maintenance outages across various counties, including a nationwide interruption on September 2, 2025, and interruptions in five counties on July 2, 2025. The utility firm also conducted maintenance on its prepaid token vending system in June 2024 to facilitate system upgrades.