Kenya Power disconnects Kisumu hospital

Patients are at risk in Kisumu East District Hospital after Kenya Power disconnected the facility’s electricity owing to Sh700,000 arrears.

There was confusion and panic at the facility following Friday’s switch off, which saw the hospital resort to its diesel-powered generator to provide energy crucial for running equipment.

Medical Superintendent Dr Amos Otedo said the hospital was forced to transfer some patients previously put in the incubator to nearby Nyanza Provincial General Hospital. “We are forced to use generator but it is not reliable for running incubators. We saw it critical to transfer some two patients,’’ he said in a text message.

County Director of Medical Services Dr Ojwang Lusi who toured the facility blamed the company for failing to honour a payment agreement.

“We owe them some money and we are ready to pay. It is our obligation. But switching off our facility on a Friday is malicious and unacceptable,” he said. “Last week we paid them Sh1 million and the balance we were to pay next week ,’’ he added.

Even as the standoff between the County Government and Kenya Power continues, there are fears if the situation persists patients could die should the generator fail.

A source within the hospital said they were forced to suspend surgery operations owing to the power outage, a claim Dr Lusi denied.

“The situation is under control and there is no cause for alarm. Running the generator may be expensive, but patients’ lives are more important,” he said. Kenya Power Deputy Communications Manager Theuri Migwi said the arrears were overdue, saying the hospital and company had not signed an agreement to use the electricity free of charge.

“The hospital owes us Sh1.7 million and it has to pay for power to be restored. We understand the challenges that come with a switch off, but it is a common practice for all sensitive facilities including hospitals to have an alternative power source,’’ he said.