Faulty transformers leave Nairobians in darkness
Business owners in Kasarani and Shauri Moyo estates are crying foul after recurrent power transformer faults that have caused losses.
In Kasarani, a transformer at Hunters area has been faulty for the last four days with attempts by the Kenya Power staff to repair bearing no fruits.
The transformer that supplies power to half of the estate’s residents and dozens of business premises failed on Friday afternoon and blew up again on Saturday after repair works.
In Shauri Moyo, a transformer that supplies power to dozens of business premises and households has been faulty for the last one week.
Business owners say the fault has significantly reduced their clientele as they are unable to offer services that require electricity.
For food vendors have resorted to using gas, charcoal and firewood.
A salon proprietor in Hunters area, Sarah Wanjiku told Nairobi News that over the weekend they could only attend to clients who wanted their hair plaited.
“We were sending them to other salons in Sunton to have their hair washed and blow-dried there then they only come for plaiting services,” she said.
As a result, she added, her income for Saturday and Sunday which are her busiest days shrunk by over Sh10, 000.
For the households, the biggest nightmare has been throwing away food stored in refrigerators.
A resident, who only identified herself as Jane, said she usually stores breast milk for her four month -old son in the freezer and will resume work on Monday with just supply for one day only.
“I will have to start pumping the milk afresh since all the supply I had has gone bad due to the prolonged power outage,” she added.