By ANTONY GITONGA

NAIROBI, KENYA: Kenya could face an acute power shortage in coming months due to the ongoing harsh weather that has seen water levels at various hydropower stations drop.

A senior manager with KenGen, who declined to be named, said water levels in the hydropower stations were dropping at alarming rates.

He identified affected stations as Gitaru, Kindaruma and Kiambere, saying lack of rainfall had caused the drop in water levels.

“If the water levels continue to drop at this rate, the company will be forced to seek alternative sources of power to meet the soaring demand,” said the official.

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This has been compounded by ongoing construction at the Olkaria IV power plant that is behind schedule, causing jitters among senior KenGen staff.

BEHIND SCHEDULE

The 140-megawatt power plant was supposed to be commissioned this April but reports have it that the contractors are a month behind schedule.

“The contractor is supposed to run the plant for over a month to make sure all is well but at the moment, construction is still going on,” said a worker on site.

Following the delay, Energy Cabinet Secretary Davies Chirchir will tour the plant on Friday to establish the current situation. A fortnight ago, Chirchir visited the plant and expressed concern over the speed of the ongoing works and promised to return.

When contacted, KenGen Geothermal Development Manager Godfrey Muchemi denied the claims, saying that the work was on track.

He said the process of putting up a major transmission line from Olkaria to Suswa had started and the work was at an advanced stage.

“The work is on schedule but you shall get a better briefing from the cabinet secretary when he tours that area on Friday,” said Muchemi via telephone.

Meanwhile, over 800 workers involved in the construction of the Olkaria I power plant downed their tools due to poor working conditions.

The workers from H-Young Company alleged that they were working from 7am to 7pm, seven days a week and without overtime payment.