This archive report was first published on 17 December 2019.
On December 17, 2019, a severe storm swept through Kisumu County, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The storm, which brought heavy downpour and strong winds, uprooted trees, ripped off billboards, and felled electricity poles, plunging the town into darkness.
According to Kenya Power officials, the storm damaged transformers and uprooted polls, causing a massive power outage that lasted for over 16 hours. The affected areas included the slums of Kondele, Obuga, Nyamasaria, Nyalenda, and the CBD.
"We have been hit, but by the end of the day, we will have the power supply in the affected areas," said Daniel Okumu, who is in charge of operations and maintenance at Kenya Power in Kisumu.
Okumu reported that three poles were brought down and the billboards that were brought down by the storm affected two high-voltage transformers. The first line that was affected was one that supplies power at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Robert Ouko and Ondiek estates, and part of the CBD.
Residents were forced to incur extra costs by using generators, and business owners suffered major losses due to the prolonged power outage. Mary Anyango, who operates a cybercafé in Nyalenda, said she was forced to close her business on Monday evening and the better part of Tuesday due to lack of power.
"I normally work late, but with the sudden blackout, I had to close and go home," said Anyango.
Close to her was James Omondi, who operates a barbershop, and said he has undergone major losses for not operating his business by midday today.
Business security guards said it was hard to keep watch of premises without light, given that most CCTV cameras were off. "It was scary having to spend the entire night without power. It made work very difficult," said Calvins Ouma, a night guard in town.
