How I will solve nationwide blackouts: Energy CS nominee Opiyo Wandayi

Energy Cabinet Secretary nominee Opiyo Wandayi has explained that he will fast-track the development of transmission lines to ultimately solve the issue of blackouts that has been prevalent across the country in the past year.

Appearing before Parliament’s Committee on Appointments for vetting on Saturday, Wandayi said that the some of the transmission lines are yet to be completed due to lack of finances.

He promised to prioritise projects such as Turkwel-Ortum-Kitale line, Kisumu-Kakamega-Musaga line, as well as the Narok-Bomet line to solve the blackout issues in Northern and Western Kenya regions. 

"I have already engaged officers informally in the ministry and if I'm approved, I am going to fast-track the development of transmission lines with the requisite capacity to evacuate power and take it to consumers, not only in Western Kenya but across the country," he said.

"In Western Kenya, I will ensure the Turkwel-Ortum-Kitale line is completed and commissioned in the shortest time. That will deal with power issues in Pokot, Kitale and other areas. The Kisumu-Kakamega-Musaga line must also be completed, similarly the Narok-Bomet line has to be completed."

He expressed concerns that some of the rural areas lack access to electricity as it is unclear whether the mandate falls under the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) or the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).

"I will endeavour to separate or reduce the overlap in the functions of KPLC and REREC. I will empower REREC fully to undertake mandate of last mile connections so that KPLC can focus on its commercial business,"  Wandayi said.

The Ugunja MP’s remarks come after the country experienced three nationwide blackouts over the past few months.

The first incident occurred on August 25, 2023, with Kenya Power and Turkana wind firm pointing accusing fingers at each other over the incident.

The second outage occurred on December 10, 2023, hitting all counties and major infrastructure including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). 

In the May 2024, another incident of blackouts hit most counties, with Kenya Power attributing the reason to a system fault.