Power to go off in Western, Rift Valley

Kenya Power will switch off electricity supply on the 132kV Lessos-Lanet transmission line this weekend to allow stringing works on the new 220kV transmission line that is meant to improve supply to Western Kenya.

The interruption will occur on Saturday and Sunday between 7am and 5pm and will affect electricity supply to a few parts of counties within the Western and Rift Valley regions.

It will affect electricity supply to few parts of counties within the Western and Rift Valley regions including; Kakamega, Kisumu, Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga, Siaya, Homabay, Migori, Kisii and Nyamira. Others are Bomet, Kericho, Elgeyo Marakwet, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia and Nandi.

Currently, Western Kenya is mainly served through the 132kV double circuit Lessos-Lanet transmission line.

The new transmission line that is under construction is expected to stabilise power supply to the Western Kenya region.

It is part of the transmission projects that the government is currently undertaking to strengthen the electricity supply infrastructure across the country.

Mid this month, Kenya Power announced a plan to switch customers who have not paid outstanding electricity bills.

In a notice, the utility firm said post-paid customers who will have not paid outstanding bills by the date the bill is due will have their supply of electricity disconnected immediately.

“The customer will thereafter be required to pay the requisite re-connection fees for their accounts to be reinstated. Customers are advised against self-reconnection since this is an offence which attracts a minimum fine of Sh1 million or a jail term not less than one year.”