Kenya Power warns of blackout in Nairobi over system upgrade

  

Kenya Power workers upgrading power lines in Nyeri Town on July 13, 2014. The exercise caused a power blackout in parts of the town the entire day. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI 

In Summary

• Parklands substation will be upgraded and overloaded electricity lines repaired
• Kenya Power carried out similar exercises in other parts of the country

By NATION REPORTER
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Residents in Nairobi’s Westlands, Parklands and Loresho areas will spend the weekend in darkness as Kenya Power upgrades its substations and electricity lines.

 

Kenya Power Managing Director Ben Chumo said the Sh50 million rehabilitation will include replacement of over 200 wooden poles with concrete ones and reconstruction of 60 substations.

Parklands substation structures will be rehabilitated and overloaded electricity lines repaired, he said in a statement Friday.

“The project is part of a major countrywide exercise known as Boresha Umeme Viwandani (upgrade power supply systems) which involves conducting master repair works at existing substations and upgrading power lines.

“Customers in targeted areas will, therefore, go without electricity during the period but for a good reason,” he said.

He said the operation will ensure that the power supply system is robust and consistent to support efforts to minimise outages.

Kenya Power has carried out similar exercises in other parts of the country including Nairobi’s Industrial Area, Mombasa, Busia, Meru, Thika, Kisumu, Kitui, Busia and Bungoma.

Mr Chumo said 586 employees will work on the rehabilitation of the three areas to ensure the exercise is completed on time.