Kenyans in ten counties will face significant disruption today as the national utility, Kenya Power, shuts down electricity for up to eight hours to conduct essential network maintenance.

The scheduled interruption, announced Tuesday, is critical for improving the long-term stability of an aging grid but presents an immediate challenge to an economy heavily reliant on a consistent power supply. For ordinary Kenyans, the outage means a disruption to daily routines and livelihoods, forcing many to seek costly alternatives like generators to keep businesses running and homes lit.

Key Economic Hubs and Institutions Affected

Nairobi and Nakuru counties are set to be among the most affected regions. In the capital, the outage will impact strategic locations, including the Rosslyn area, which hosts the Canadian Embassy and the residence of the American Ambassador, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EAT. Other commercial zones like Mihango and Garage Road will experience a slightly shorter blackout from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The impact extends significantly into the education sector. In Nakuru County, the outage will affect a major educational hub:

• Kabarak University: The entire university, including its guest house, high school, and bakery, will be without power from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology: Parts of Siaya County, including the university, will also face an all-day interruption.

Other counties where residents and businesses will experience day-long outages include Kericho, Bomet, Siaya, Nyeri, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Kitui, and Taita Taveta.

The High Cost of an Unreliable Grid

While Kenya Power states these maintenance works are necessary to prevent unexpected breakdowns and improve service, the frequent interruptions underscore a persistent challenge for the nation's economy. Studies have shown that power outages have a significant negative relationship with the profitability of Kenyan firms. The manufacturing sector, a cornerstone of the economy, is estimated to lose approximately KES 119.4 million for every hour of a nationwide blackout, forcing businesses to incur extra costs on alternative power sources.

The utility firm has urged customers in the listed areas to make necessary arrangements, advising businesses to consider backup power to mitigate losses. Kenya Power maintains that these planned interruptions are a crucial part of its strategy to upgrade aging infrastructure and ensure a more reliable power supply for the future.