Nothing is working...

Every month I go to the KP offices at Nyali Center when I do my shopping there. Last month due to health reasons I had to use Mpesa to buy my monthly token for my prepaid meter.

This month I went to the KP offices but like in March their system was not working. This is the 2nd month that it is not. Why?!

Are they working in cahoots with Safaricom to compel us to use mpesa? They charge us for buying the token from them. Is this some kind of monopoly?

Then, this morning when trying to buy via mpesa after putting all my details in I am being told that I should try later...

So, what should one do when one is urgently in need of a token?

What is wrong with Kenya Power?

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OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS - 22nd, 23rd,....

Last night (10th April 2023), at 9.16 pm we had an outage of a few seconds.

Early this morning at 4.40 am, we had another one which lasted a couple of minutes.

The reason I am writing about this is because of promise when I started numbering these offensive outages and fluctuations that though this time these latest ones came after quite a few days, they did happen. Though, as far as we could figure out, there was nothing to cause the night outage while the early morning one today was amid a lot of thundering going on.

Does thunder cause outages? Lightening maybe, but thunder is just noise! Considering we will hopefully soon start our rainy season which this time is arriving with lots of thunder, I wonder what we will be put through by Kenya Power under the excuse of the weather...?!

OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS - 20th, 21st,....

Yesterday morning we had an outage, though of a short duration, an outage, all the same.

This morning we had another one quite early, of the same duration. Again without rhyme or reason.

Also, since late last year, every time I go to buy my prepaid token at Kenya Power offices in Nyali, I have discovered that the number of units I get for the same amount that I buy every month I receive fewer and fewer units but am paying higher and higher TAXES for all kinds of things. WHY?!!!!  To the extent that our actual power bill costs less than the amount we pay in various taxes!!!

This brings me to the point that we Kenyans are being taxed, literally to death....this is DISGUSTING! What 'services', if any, are we receiving for all these taxes we pay? And we in fact end up paying taxes more than once for the same thing... Every 'service' we buy (we get NOTHING FREE), is taxed!!! Think about this and calculate... I am beginning to believe that we are soon (if not already), even be paying taxes for the air (of whatever quality) we breathe!

FLUCTUATIONS AND OUTAGES - 16, 17, 18, 19,...

This morning while trying to watch the news at 10 am, the power fluctuated three times starting at 10.13 am, the next at 10.17 am, the third at 10.19 am and the 4th at 10.44 am!

As expected, the phones went unanswered as usual. Which means that these people who are supposed to be in-charge of making sure that we, the consumers get an uninterrupted supply had no idea what was happening and therefore could give no reason for these repeated fluctuations within minutes of each other...

It has been a novelty that since my last missive, we have not had either outages or fluctuations, Alhamdulillah!

Raziya

OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS - 13, 14, 15,...

We had just over 24 hours of respite from Kenya Power's shoddy 'service', and at around 1.15 pm, the fluctuations started..

Nos, 13 and 14 were nearly together while the 15th was about an hour and a half later. What causes them? May we know, please?

They cause lots of damage to our appliances not to mention the tension they cause. Now that Ramadhan has begun, is this the kind of questionable 'service' we are going to be getting - erratic in the EXTREME!

FLUCTUATIONS AND OUTAGES - 10, 11, 12,....

Since just after midnight, we have already had three outages and fluctuations which brings my numbering to twelve and counting...

As I was about to start writing this, the power went off then came on a couple of minutes later, but it was low voltage where the regulators showed RED for quite a while. Tried calling but this time not only were the phones not being answered but a message showed me that the numbers I was dialing were not registered on the network....! How is this possible?

Also, the 11th one happened as is quite common of late - in the morning at just after 8.00 when people need power the most. This outage was of nearly 15 minutes and no one can enlighten us the reason for it. Was it because, since we live in a 'banana republic', due to the start of the rain?!

What is Kenya Power really up to? Doesn't it have responsible employees who can ethically and accountably work to provide service?

I am really beginning to believe that have 'jua kali' type personnel employed by Kenya Power.... What we would call 'matatu' mentality, also! A don't care attitude!

OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS - 9

Well, it seems that Kenya Power has no SHAME whatsoever plus is impervious to the needs of their customers and are practicing impunity, too.

At just before 3.00 pm, we suffered another total outage with no one answering their phones. It returned after about 5 minutes. But, what we would collectively like to know is what are the causes of these persistent outages and fluctuations? Maybe, if they told us, we might, just might sympathise with them....

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OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS - 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...

After I wrote about the outage in the morning yesterday, we had three more in the course of the day and into the night!

The 4th happened after I got a message (SMS), from one of the engineers of Kenya Power informing me that there would be an outage of half an hour at about 4.00 pm (4). Well, it went and came back after about half an hour. This engineer seemed surprised that I was angry with Kenya Power because he was informing me about the outage. He could not understand why I was angry. For his information and the rest of this redoubtable 'power' company, we get mad because of persistent outages and fluctuation, and much as I appreciate his informing me, what about the rest of the users of electricity?! 

But, then we had another outage hardly 30 minutes later about which KP knew nothing and for once one of them answered the phone and his voice showed surprise at this (5), outage! This one lasted another half an hour!!!

Again, after about fifteen to twenty minutes, we suffered another massive fluctuation (6), where the power regulators switched all our devices. This 'normalized' after about 5 minutes and mercifully we had no other incidents the remainder of the night.

Unfortunately, this morning we had another outage (7), of several minutes around 7.45 am. Then, at about 10.25 am (8), we suffered another massive fluctuation and this is just the start of the day....

We fear to think of how many more our irresponsible and careless power company is going to make us go through in the course of today....

OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS - 3

First thing this morning at just before 8.30 am the power went off! It returned after about 5 minutes. We also don't know how many more fluctuations and outages we are going to go through in the course of the remainder of the day...

Again the question - why does this have to happen nearly EVERY SINGLE DAY?! 

This is already number 3 and it is not even a week since number 1.... As I said then, I am numbering the outages and frequency of them to give all my recipients including Kenya Power the seriousness of the problem.

POWER OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS - 2

 Just before Kenya Power switched off our power this morning, I got a message (SMS), from one of our engineers informing me that we would be having an outage of 30 minutes. This meant that my last email regarding Kenya Power's attitude seemed to have borne fruit, Alhamdulillah! But, this outage was not of half an hour - it returned after nearly 45 minutes.

Anyway, at around twenty to one (mid-day), there was a massive fluctuation where all our power regulators switched things off and was on red for some few minutes. Calling the engineers was a vain pursuit as usual though one of them being a Muslim would have the legitimate excuse of attending Friday Prayers. But, the other one could and should have picked the phone.

So, was the earlier outage the cause of the later fluctuation?

POWER OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS - 1

 Early on the morning of Saturday 11th March 2023, before 3.00 am, our power went. Tried to call Kenya Power's engineers to no avail. None of them was answering. After over an hour, one answered and was told it would take another hour to restore.

Unfortunately, this did not happen and when at 6.00 am we were still suffering in this awful heat, and I called, again no answer and when finally one of them, did, was told it would take another hour! Yet, a few minutes after hanging up, the power mercifully returned. So, why was this engineer lying to me? 

This is one of the reasons we don't have any confidence in these people and suspect that they don't work 24 hours as the long-suffering public is made to believe, but can only work during daylight hours. Kenya Power has lost its credibility with the public (consumers), whom they are supposed to serve because they do not keep its word and even lies to us. 

Forget about transparency, they are not even translucent but extremely OPAQUE!!!

Then, just after about 36 hours of the above outage of over 3 hours, we had another one of these outage/fluctuations yesterday (12th March 2023), late afternoon. Again, there was no response when called and while the power returned after a couple of minutes, these play havoc with our electrical devices, and the regulators they are attached to, start malfunctioning. Who will pay for this damage?

This missive has the number 1 in the title. Henceforth, I will start numbering these fluctuations/outages so that both the receiving public and Kenya power for their record will be able to tell how often this happens with their so-called services.

PERSISTANT OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS EVERYDAY!

This morning we had at least 2 outages and fluctuations with a matter of 15 minutes. Why?

And as usual, no response to calls, either. Why?

Can Kenya Power PLEASE get its act together and work more efficiently to give us with a consistent supply of power where our electrical devices will not malefunction? Otherwise, the long suffering consumers might entertain the possibility of demanding compensation for damage/s for their AWFUL 'SERVICES'...!

Considering the hefty bills we have to foot every month, it is high time we, consumers, demanded and equally responsible and accountable service in return.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR CONSTANT OUTAGES...?!

 On Saturday, 4th March 2023, once again nearly the WHOLE COUNTRY lost power! Most of us do not know the reason why, but we have noticed that since late last year that there have been too many of these national outages. Why? Are we in a war 'mode' or suffering from some natural catastrophe which is usually the reason when nations suffer from such incidences?

Kenya Power, which has proved itself to be a very insolent outfit of late which takes its customers for granted due to it being the ONLY one that supplies us with this commodity, does not deem it fit to either answer our frantic calls and/or give an explanation and apology for the outage. 

On that fateful Saturday, we were forced to 'time' travel to a time before Mankind discovered electricity and put it to use for itself and developed further... In the sweltering heat and humidity of the coast, we had to suffer for over 4 HOURS without knowing when we would be put out of our misery.

None of the local engineers were answering their phones initially and when one of them finally, did, he could not give any specific time scale WHEN it would be back! When cornered, he told me 3 to 4 hours, but when the 3 hours were up and I called him again I  was told that it would take another 3 hours!!!!

Then, today the power went off, yet again in the morning and KP  wouldn't answer their phones. When this happens, we are left wondering what caused the outage, if it is country-wide, again, and how long it will last for... All of this is extremely frustrating for those of us who rely a lot on power. 

What is the matter with our monopolistic and EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE power company? They are becoming more and more insolent by the day...

KENYA POWER AND ITS UNJUST 'SERVICE'!

Why does Kenya Power even entertain increasing its tariffs when it CANNOT provide a reliable service? The problem with our highly monopolistic power company is that they love the money with the least amount of work! 

They DO NOT care that while they are increasing their tariffs, their 'service' heads in the opposite direction which causes its customers a HUGE loss for their constant fluctuations and outages - at times more than 3 in a day e.g. yesterday - result in our electrical appliances to 'die' on us and we, its customers end up with added losses and damage and we have to pay our hard-earned money to for fixing these AND pay their hefty bills. This is akin to adding salt to a festering wound and for the information of those who have not studied their power bills; what we actually pay for their 'dirty' power consumption, ironically, is less than the umpteen taxes that are listed in that bill.

Now, can our redoubtable power company please explain to us why they keep increasing their tariffs while their so-called services go in the opposite direction without a thought to the effect it has on its consumers and their many electrical appliances and any sense of responsibility for the damage caused? 

NEVER ENDING OUTAGES AND FLUCTUATIONS..

Since the last nationwide outage that Kenya Power put us through, we, in Nyali have been suffering from almost daily outages and/or fluctuations.

When the power goes off, we never know how long this outage will be for as well as when we try to call them, there is no response.

Kenya Power is one of the most monopolistic outfits imaginable as they have no sense of responsibility or remorse for their nationwide customers whom they treat with utter disrespect!

They are also irresponsible since they will not be held accountable for any of our electrical devices that 'die' thanks to their erratic power supply.

When cornered into giving a response, they will give none and will try and get out of giving us a reason for the numerous outages. This makes us, their clients, to speculate which leads to the rampant corruption that our country suffers from.... Because a 'straight' company would not be as opaque as KP is. They are anything but transparent!

Can KP give us an answer, please?

OUTAGES GALORE! Thanks to Kenya Power

 Since the last time I wrote, we have been suffering from outages EVERY SINGLE DAY and not just once, but several. 

One example is today. We've already had two outages (very brief ones), since morning. These, while they are of short duration, still do our many electrical devices a lot of harm. Unfortunately, Kenya Power has scant regard for the damage their disgusting and unaccountable power does to our equipment. They don't care in the least!

When one calls them, IF THEY RESPOND , they will give you no satisfying answer and therefore we have to literally jump to our own conclusions which immediately lead us to the ever present corruption that our whole country is so steeped in.

Are our perpetual outages due to some sub-standard equipment they are using in the process somebody somewhere is pocketing a huge amount of money while purchasing questionable standard of stuff....?! Or something to that effect....

Since independence Kenya Power has changed many names but has instead of improving 'service' is continually regressing instead of being accountable and responsible. They are anything but!

It is no wonder that there are many Kenyans out there who can afford it, are opting for an alternative to depending on our monopolistic power company.

May we have an explanation on why we keep having umpteen numbers of outages on any given day? And for how long these will carry on?

KENYA POWER AND ITS ERRATIC SERVICES...

 Kenya Power's services seem to be inversely proportional to what they charge the public for them. Have you noticed that in the past two months we've had those many country-wide outages (no reason given), where we are forcibly transported to an age before electricity was discovered and used by the majority of Mankind?

The last such incident was on the 24th of November 2022, and since then, we in Mombasa, at least, have been having umpteen numbers of outages and/or fluctuations EVERYDAY! These play HAVOC with our various electrical equipment even if we have these gadgets to supposedly protect them from these frequent misbehaviour by our questionable power company. When these 'die', the electricals they are 'protecting', also die. So, will our AWFUL power company be responsible enough to pay for the damages when their shoddy 'services' damage our electrical equipment? 

Of course, NOT! They are extremely IRRESPONSIBLE, UNPROFESSIONAL, UNETHICAL and are responsible in making this country one of the most EXPENSIVE and AWFUL to live in! One gets the impression that we, too, are in a war like Ukraine and Russia, but, in those countries outages hardly last like ours do. If they did, the population there would collectively be frozen stiff considering the current weather there!!!

Coming back to Kenya and it's numerous taxes that it requires us to pay for this shoddy and questionable electricity. What services are we getting in return for these umpteen taxes? And unpredictable and nasty power supply...? There is also the matter of them 'seeing' the 'environmental' light and start depending on our ever present SUN and start replacing fossil fuels with sustainable power sources. I wonder if Kenya Power is seriously doing this?

KENYA POWER, get your act together and STOP charging us an arm and a leg for your shoddy so-called 'services'!

Kenya Power and its workings....

 Nearly 3 weeks ago, my aunt who stays on the Island in Bondeni, has been having a flickering light problem and since none of her neighbours were suffering the same thing, decided to call an electrician.

She was told after a check-up that her meter had a fault and needed the Kenya Power people to deal with it. This she did, immediately, but they took their time dealing with it.

When they eventually showed up early last week, they came without a ladder and since she lives on the 1st floor, they couldn't do anything, and they disappeared. When my aunt called them, they told her that they had gone to look for a ladder! Imagine, our power company has a shortage of ladders, too.

When they finally showed up with the ladder and investigated the meter, she was told that she needed a new meter. This resulted in another delay when she was informed after calling KP that it did not have the meters in stock!!! How strange!

Kenya Power seems to have become quite an irresponsible company as they refuse to take responsibility for any damage caused due to these kinds of disruptions to power which would result in damage not only to our equipment, but also the voltage regulators die before their time.

She was told that the earliest that they could get a meter for her would be Tuesday (today), and so she had to wait another week and is still waiting....

One employee, told her when she called him this morning that they would change it today, but would not tell her when. When I called him and pressed for an answer, I was told 3.00 pm.

Now, my question to Kenya Power - why has there been a delay in dealing with this situation? Why didn't KP when they finally came, arrive without a ladder? Why was there another delay in even finding a ladder? Why don't they keep meters in stock?

Considering that Kenya Power charges us an arm and a leg for their so-called shoddy 'services', how come they don't even have enough ladders and meters around to do their work efficiently and in a timely manner?

Or has Kenya Power also joined the bandwagon of corruption when you are told that something is not in stock, but as soon as our equally corrupt citizenry dangles money in front of them, they find the part from somewhere....?!

Kenya Power and it's questionable 'services'...

After my last email written a few hours ago when we had an outage and I was writing using my battery, the power came back after about half an hour yet got no apology or explanation nor an answer to my numerous calls to ALL the relevant Kenya Power employees which includes some senior staff based in Nairobi and whose addresses you will find above in the recipients list.

One wonders why they don't answer our calls. One major reason I think is because they do not want to answer our 'difficult' questions. And why would they find our questions difficult to answer? Most likely because they don't have a good answer and/or they think that we are not capable of understanding their 'official' jargon. Or to put it bluntly, they believe us to be stupid. But, it might also be that their answers will lead to more questions which they believe we should not be asking them...?!

And as I  write this, we are again suffering from fluctuations and considering the weather has now changed and it's overcast and raining, this will  be a good time for us to have another massive outage (after all, the last 2 days, we've had these hours long outages just around this time), with no accountability or explanations from this disgusting power company!

Start working in an accountable and responsible manner, Kenya Power.

And please remember, next time don't ever tell us to have patience because every Tom, Dick, Harry and Jane out there who gives us their questionable 'services' are all telling to do exactly that and we are very FED UP of hearing this one sentence over and over again repeated by incompetent 'service providers'!

Kenya Power is taking its customers for granted...

Since the 16th of October, we, in Nyali have been having more than our 'fair' share of fluctuations and outages. 

One would think that we are going back in time to when Nyali residents were suffering from these issues on a daily basis umpteen times a day!!!

And after our so-called scheduled 'maintenance outage' on the 18th of October, things have gone even worse for want of a better word. In fact, intolerable. When we call these employees of  Kenya Power, and IF we can get through, the one standard reply we get is to observe patience and that is IT!

Unfortunately, we are very fed up of this reply not just from this service company, but it is used by ALL the so-called service providers to cover up their inefficiency and incompetence. What do these people think we are? That's when they give us such a blanket statement, we will be satisfied? 

As I write this, we've lost power, yet again!

We have been losing power every single day  for  HOURS on end!

We are now without power again and NOBODY from this awful company is picking their phones, either...., including their superiors!