A severe power outage continues to affect residents of Masalani town leading to break down of water, health and security services in the town located in Ijara constituency Garissa County.
A spot check by KNA shows that power outage started on Sunday forcing businesses like barber shop, garages, cyber cafe vegetable and milk vendors out of business except for those who have backup power such as generators or solar energy.
The chairman of Masalani town watchdog Mr Abdullahi Abdi said Kenya Power Company is losing millions of shillings while the residents are suffering due to lack of water and health services.
He called upon the Cabinet Secretary for energy Mr Davies Chirchir and the managing director of Kenya power and lighting company to establish a power station in Masalani town.
Mr Abdi acknowledged that the solar energy is the remedy if the intermittent power failure continues in Masalani which he says had 17,000 power connections.
Abdi pointed out that solar energy outlets have long queues of people lining up to charge their phones due to outage.
Residents of Ijara town, which is 48 km from Masalani town, have also complained of power blackout for the last two weeks. Other areas affected are Hulugho Sub County, Sangailu and Bothai Sub County forcing them to resort to generators and delight solar energy panels.
Contacted for comment Kenya power and lighting company officer in charge of Masalani Mr Silas Limo said three power poles have collapsed due to flood waters and they are expected to be repaired on Monday.
Masalani Airport which was constructed by engineers from Kenya Airport Authority was also affected forcing them to use backup generators during the intermittent power blackout.
Masalani sub county referral hospital medical officer of health Dr Abdimalik Ibrahim appealed to Garissa County government to equip the hospital with a standby generator as service have been paralysed.
Dr Ibrahim said nurses were last week forced to use torches to assist a woman who was in labour to deliver at the facility.
Mr Silas Limo, the KPLC manager, said the distance between Boji-Masalani bridge and the town is only 5km and they are planning to erect concrete electricity poles after the floods subside to mitigate the frequent power outage.
By Mohamed Dahir
