Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei now wants the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to be forced to compensate Kenyans for losses caused by frequent blackouts.
Addressing the media at Parliament Buildings on Monday, the Senator stated that it is past time for Kenyans to consider a discussion about KPLC fragmentation, claiming that it has become a perennial letdown with disastrous consequences.
“We need to talk about the KPLC monopoly. We should open and have a free market where those who are able to generate power can do so. If we have a competitive electricity power supply we shall not witness such ordeals,” stated Senator Cheragei.
The Legislator has called upon the National Assembly and Senate Energy Committees to urgently resolve the issue, particularly this time when Kenyans are in the festive season.
“I ask the energy committees to move with speed and start an inquiry into this national blackout that we are facing as a country. They must tell the country what happened yesterday, we want to know what is happening for the last three to four times we have had national blackouts.”
“It has affected the Kenyans not only their normal lives but businesses and even hospitals where we have risked lives of many Kenyans. Kenyans should not continue suffering. They should enjoy the festivities peacefully without these blackouts.”
He urged both Houses’ committees to return from recess to investigate the issue of constant blackouts, which he described as a national emergency.
“They should invite the energy sector stakeholders, tell the country what is happening, the solution to these national outages and also quantify the loses that Kenyans have experienced in terms of economic loss, businesses, patients in hospitals depend on electricity to sustain them in ICU. Even other agencies should be involved in case there is sabotage.”
In light of recent developments in which he was sued by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, the Nandi Senator challenged the Minister to instead focus on carrying out his mandate rather than suing him.
The lawmaker cited the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s (JKIA) leaking roofs and non-functioning generators as examples of Kenya’s disgrace.
“I want to ask him, instead of having the energy to take me to court, he should use the same energy to fix leaking roofs and standby generators that are not working at the JKIA. We shall continue calling him out because it is his business to deliver on behalf of the country.”
“If even leaking roofs and standby generators cannot be fixed what will happen to our impassable roads especially in Nandi County and across the country. If he forms a committee to look into non-working standby generators he will have to combine the UN and the AU to fix the road because those are simple things that should be done.”
The Senator now wants the CS to apologize to Kenyans claiming Mukomen lied to Kenyans that JKIA standby generators were working following the previous countrywide blackout last month.
“It is high time CS Murkomen must take personal responsibility and be accountable to ensure we do not see these embarrassments. The issue of JKIA is now embarrassing all of us as a country.”
Cherargei further cautioned the CS against apportioning blame to the Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) and instead owning up to his mistakes and ask forgiveness from Kenyans.
“I have seen he wants to move the blame to KAA. The ultimate and the buck stops with him. The last time he went to KAA and forced someone to resign and assured us in a week’s time the generators will be working.”
He expressed concerns over the national security saying criminal elements could take advantage of such weaknesses in various airports to infiltrate and attack Kenyans.
“I hope it is not only in JKIA but that all airstrips and airports are working because most of these airports are critical national security assets. If we are not careful, elements might come into the country that may even harm our country.”
