Kenya set for scheduled load shedding to contain frequent power blackouts

Addressing journalists on Monday, the CS attributed the recent power outage on Sunday, December 10, to an overload on a transmission line in western Kenya and assured swift actions to address the situation.

“One of the mitigations that we will be going back with the engineers to sit on and give some straight answers as we look at you in the eye is load shedding,” said Chirchir.

The CS noted that the proposed load shedding would involve strategically reducing power in specific areas with severely constrained transmission lines. 

He was however quick to clarify that the measure does not indicate a power shortage in the country, but is rather aimed to prevent overwhelming the infrastructure.

“What will need to be done instead of overloading a line and causing the whole country to trip, we will be able to remove some figures and therefore lessen the power demand that flows through a line and be able to carry the amount of power which the line can carry,” he added.

Chirchir also acknowledged challenges in the power supply and outlined proposed solutions, including plans to construct an alternative power line from Olkaria-Narok-Bomet-Awendo to support Western Kenya. 

The project, funded by South Korea and the Africa Development Bank, is currently in its initial stage and is expected to be completed in approximately 20 months.

Chirchir's announcement follows a country-wide blackout on Sunday evening, the third this year, lasting several hours.