NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 13 – Traders and households in Ruaka’s Joyland area are counting losses following a prolonged power outage that has disrupted businesses and water supply, with residents and traders accusing Kenya Power of failing to respond to repeated calls for repairs.
The outage, which residents say began on Monday, has affected hundreds of small businesses and households, leaving traders unable to operate normally and residents in some apartments without water because pumping systems depend on electricity.
John, a barber in the area, said traders had repeatedly contacted Kenya Power but were yet to receive assistance.
“We’ve had a problem since Monday and called Kenya Power repeatedly, but they keep saying they will come to fix the problem but they need to be facilitated to come. We’re unable to earn a living because of this,” he told Capital News on Thursday.
John said the problem was caused by a faulty transformer serving the Joyland area, which he accused the utility of failing to repair despite repeated reports.
Elizabeth, a salon owner who operates in the neighbourhood, also accused Kenya Power staff of demanding payment before responding to the outage.
“I own a salon that makes women’s hair. The biggest problem I see with KPLC is that when we call them, they don’t come,” she said.
