KPLC Blames Kenyans For Rising Electrocution Deaths

File image of Kenya Power electricians at work
File image of Kenya Power electricians at work
File

The Kenya Power Company, popularly known by its NSE ticker KPLC, has addressed the rising cases of deaths caused by electrocution.

Kenya Power Safety Health and Environment Manager, John Guda confirmed that a total of 345 people had died due to electrocution - in a period of three years. Six of them have died over the past year. 

According to Guda, the majority of the cases were caused by Kenyans who are careless in handling electric products at home and at work. 

He, however, admitted that KPLC and its contractors were to blame for about 26 percent of the fatalities. 

“74 percent of electrocution cases are because of unsafe public practices. We insist that the people have to safely use electricity.”

KPLC to switch off electricity supply on the 132kV double circuit Lessos-Lanet transmission to give room for ongoing construction.
KPLC to switch off the electricity supply on the 132kV double circuit Lessos-Lanet transmission to give room for ongoing construction.
Photo
Kenya Power

“The other 26 percent can be attributed to Kenya Power operations, contractors and non-compliance standards," the KPLC manager stated. 

Speaking at a seminar in Makueni, Guda emphasized the issue of illegal energizing of houses as a dangerous practice that can claim the lives of an entire family.

Highly affected counties include Nakuru, Makueni, Kiambu and Uasin Gishu. Nakuru being the highest at 11 percent followed by Makueni at 10.1 percent.

“The issues around Makueni County are tree cutting and issues to do with our own power lines falling which we are addressing by replacing the poles,” stated the Manager.

He stated that KPLC would work on the affected counties to harness the occurrence of even more deaths in the country.

The admission came amid complaints of inefficiency at the utility firm which has been compounded by poor service and growing losses. 

Barely two weeks ago, Kenya Power announced a nationwide system failure on the pre-paid system. Customers who purchased token experienced an 18-24 hour delay.

Their customer care had been affected too. The company attributed the failure to its IT systems.

Kenya Power Building in Nairobi CBD
Kenya Power Building in Nairobi CBD.
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