For many Kenyans, the rainy season is synonymous with the unprecedented power outage and there are several reasons why you experience this.
First, when lightning comes into contact with power lines, the resulting high voltage causes power surge damaging critical switching and voltage regulation components at power distribution plants and resulting in blackouts.
According to an explanation by Kenya Power, severe winds experienced during lightning storms cause branches and at times entire trees to fall interrupting the power lines.
[caption caption="Tree dangling on power lines"]
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During a heavy downpour, rainwater reduces the insulation capacity of gadgets installed along the power distribution lines hence blowing fuses due to short circuits.
Besides, numerous road accidents that happen during rains see vehicles ramming into electric posts causing power interruption.
In September 2016, Kenya Power (KP) embarked on an ambitious Sh13.2 Billion underground cabling project to stabilise electricity supply and eliminate economy crippling outages.
However, speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on phone, a source at KP revealed that the project has been facing challenges due to financial constraints, and extreme weather conditions.
Our contact further revealed that the Company is embarking on another plan that will see customers read their own bill metres and send the figure via phone to eliminate the issue of overcharging due to bill estimation.
Further, the power distributor plans to introduce a new system where customers in the postpaid tariff will retain their meter's account number even when they move from a town or a geographic location.
[caption caption="KPLC employees going about their duties"]
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The company is also in the process of developing an all-inclusive computerized system that will see the customers receive all the company's services more efficiently.
