Residents and business owners in Katito, Kisumu County, are expressing frustration over a prolonged power outage that has lasted for one week, disrupting livelihoods and essential services.


According to local traders, the blackout began after a transformer serving the area was reportedly removed and has not been returned or replaced. The situation has left businesses struggling to operate, with many incurring losses due to the lack of electricity.


Business owners say the outage has severely affected their ability to earn a living, with shops, salons, barbershops, cold storage facilities, and other enterprises either operating at reduced capacity or remaining closed altogether.


  • "We depend on electricity to run our businesses and feed our families. Every day without power means more losses and uncertainty," lamented one trader.


Residents have also raised concerns over increasing insecurity during the night, noting that poorly lit streets and neighborhoods have become vulnerable to criminal activities.


The situation has further affected healthcare services, with reports indicating that some health facilities have been forced to rely on alternative power sources to continue operations. Residents fear that prolonged darkness in hospitals could compromise the quality of healthcare services.


Community members are now appealing to the national government, Kenya Power, and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently and restore electricity to the area.


They are calling for the immediate replacement or return of the transformer and a clear explanation regarding the delay in restoring power.


  • "We are pleading with the government to come to our rescue. Businesses are suffering, hospitals are in darkness, and insecurity is rising. We need power restored as soon as possible," said another resident.


The residents hope that swift action will be taken to end the blackout and restore normalcy in Katito, where many families depend on electricity-powered businesses for their daily income.