Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has announced planned electricity interruptions for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, affecting specific areas in Nairobi and Bungoma counties for routine network maintenance. The utility company stated the shutdowns are necessary to enhance service reliability and improve the electricity grid's quality.

In a notice issued on Monday, October 27, 2025, Kenya Power detailed that the interruptions are conducted under Rule 27 of the Electric Power Rules to facilitate system upgrades, connect new customers, and replace infrastructure. These routine maintenance activities are part of a broader strategy to prevent more frequent, unplanned blackouts that have previously caused significant economic disruption.

Affected Areas and Timings

Nairobi County:
The power outage is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EAT. The main area affected is along Catherine Ndereba Road in the Pipeline neighbourhood. Key institutions and businesses that will be without power include:

• Scion Hospital
• Penda Medical Centre Embakasi
• Mukuru Health Centre
• St. Bhakita School
• Swaminarayan School
• Mukuru Educational Centre
• V Club, Joharis, Kings Millenium, and Unique Estate
• Part of Villafranca Estate
• Takbir Distributors, Seyani Brothers, and Kenya Builders
• Bamba 70, Honey Suckle, and King of Judah Ministries

Bungoma County:
A longer interruption is planned for parts of Bungoma, running from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM EAT. The outage will impact customers in the Kimilili and Misikhu areas. The specific locations include:

• Kimilili Market and Kimilili Slaughterhouse
• Misikhu Market
• Kapsokwony, Kamasielo, and Kamusinde
• Maeni, Kikwechi, Bung'aa, Kibieto, Khamulati
• Nyongesa, Muricho, Ngoli, Lwanda, Chelekei
• Kambimi, Lukhuna, Namawanga, Lumuli, Nasasi, Makhese, and Kibingei

Kenya Power has advised residents and businesses in all the listed locations to make alternative arrangements to minimize inconvenience during the maintenance period.

Context of Power Interruptions in Kenya

Planned power outages are a regular occurrence in Kenya as KPLC works to maintain an aging grid and expand its network to meet growing demand. The country's electrification rate has grown significantly, reaching nearly 75% in 2024, up from 23% in 2013. This expansion necessitates continuous upgrades and maintenance to ensure grid stability.

However, these interruptions, both planned and unplanned, have a tangible economic impact. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) such as salons, cyber cafes, and welding workshops are often the hardest hit, reporting significant financial losses due to operational downtime. A 2020 study highlighted a significant negative relationship between power outages and the profitability of Kenyan firms. For larger commercial and industrial consumers, which account for over half of the nation's electricity consumption, the financial losses from outages can amount to millions of shillings per hour in lost productivity.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) oversees the sector, ensuring transparency and fair pricing while KPLC manages the distribution network. While the utility frames these shutdowns as essential for long-term stability, stakeholders consistently call for improved communication and measures to mitigate the adverse effects on the economy. The government's agenda, including the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and Vision 2030, relies heavily on a stable and reliable energy supply to power economic growth and industrialization.