Thousands of Kenyans in Kisumu and Kakamega counties will face a day-long power outage this Saturday, a move Kenya Power says is critical for routine network maintenance. The interruption, scheduled for November 29, underscores a persistent challenge for the nation's businesses: balancing the need for infrastructure upkeep with the high cost of every hour the lights are out.

This planned blackout is not just an inconvenience; it is a direct hit to the economic lifeline of many. For small businesses in Western Kenya—from welders and salon owners to cyber cafes—a full day without electricity means a day with no income. The reliance on costly backup generators eats into already thin profit margins, a burden many small and medium-sized enterprises cannot afford.

Powering Down for Upgrades

Kenya Power has detailed the areas that will be affected by the outage. The utility provider has stated that these interruptions are necessary to improve the reliability and efficiency of the power supply in the long run. The maintenance is part of a broader strategy to modernize an aging infrastructure that has been blamed for frequent, unplanned blackouts.

• Kisumu County (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM): Rweya, Bungu, Anywang, Rweya Catholic Mission and adjacent customers.
• Kakamega County (9:00 AM - 5:30 PM): Musaga, Samisi, Kalenda, Shirugu, Malekha, Lukala, Malava, Kimangeti, Malichi, Kambiri, Kambi Mwanza, Shamberere, West Kenya Sugar, Ingavira, Mahira, Bilovi, Ingolomosio, Kuvasali, Ileholkoli and adjacent customers.

The High Cost of Silence

While Kenya Power frames the shutdowns as essential, the economic repercussions are substantial. The Kenya Association of Manufacturers has previously warned that frequent power outages could shrink the economy by a significant margin, with potential annual losses estimated at approximately $2 billion (approx. KES 280 billion). A 2023 analysis estimated that a nationwide power interruption costs the manufacturing sector alone around KES 119.4 million per hour. These figures highlight the critical need for a stable power grid to support Kenya's economic ambitions.

Analysts note that while the move to upgrade the network is vital, the short-term economic pain is acute for businesses that lose a full day of productivity. The recurring nature of these outages has forced many to factor in the cost of unreliable power as a standard business expense, a deterrent to both local and foreign investment.

As residents and business owners in Kisumu and Kakamega prepare for the outage, the focus remains on Kenya Power's ability to complete the maintenance swiftly and minimize the disruption. The long-term promise of a more stable grid is the goal, but the immediate reality is a day of economic silence.