Seven Months in the Dark
Residents of Yala, Siaya County, have reached a breaking point after enduring a seven-month-long power blackout. The frustrated community took to the streets in a massive protest, demanding immediate intervention from Kenya Power to restore electricity to homes, schools, and businesses.
The outage, which has persisted since early this year, has left families struggling and small businesses on the verge of collapse. According to residents, repeated complaints to Kenya Power have gone unanswered.
A Town Paralyzed by Darkness
Without electricity, basic services in Yala have ground to a halt. Local shop owners report losses due to food spoilage, schools are struggling to operate computer labs, and health centers are forced to rely on costly generators or kerosene lamps during emergencies.
“We pay bills, we buy tokens, but there’s no light,” said one resident.
“How can we live like this in 2025?”
Protesters Demand Accountability
Hundreds of residents marched through the town carrying placards and chanting slogans against Kenya Power’s poor service delivery. The protest was largely peaceful but underscored the growing anger and desperation among residents.
Community leaders are now calling on the government to investigate the blackout, accusing Kenya Power of neglect and poor maintenance.
“We will not stop demonstrating until power is restored,”
said one of the organizers.
Kenya Power Responds
In a brief statement, Kenya Power acknowledged the situation and promised to dispatch a technical team to assess and fix the problem. However, many residents remain skeptical after months of unfulfilled promises.
Analysts say the Yala blackout highlights the broader challenge of rural electrification and infrastructure neglect in Kenya’s western region.
The Bigger Picture
As Kenya pushes toward digital transformation and industrialization, communities like Yala are being left behind due to unstable or absent electricity. The situation has reignited calls for energy reforms and accountability within Kenya Power.
For Yala residents, the message is clear — seven months of darkness is seven months too many.
