Garissa residents demonstrate over scarcity of electricity – nfdonline Garissa SEE PICTURES BELOW
Kenya Generators (KenGen), the only power supplier has in the past caused death and distraction to the locals.

In 2006, a government's parastatal, KenGen which built dams along the Tana River to harvest energy released excess water from their reservoirs without consideration of the communities who secure their livelihood along the riverbanks. The excess water bust the river banks and flooded the surrounding areas, displacing an estimated 50,000 people, majority of whom are women and children, in Garissa town alone.

This preventable and man-made flooding caused by KENGEN has left the affected families to seek refuge in schools, institutional buildings, and the open air. It has destroyed their livelihoods – from houses to farms and livestock – making them dependent on external aid

Garissa town is expanding at a speed with resident constantly complaining short of power, which jeopardises business operations just after the sun set.

KenGen’s monopoly has infuriated and triggered a big demonstration at the town after electric shock burnt some shops

One demonstrator said “we pray in the dark at the mosques, lack of cold drinks, students need light to study”

The demonstrators headed by Sheikh Hassan Amey who spoke on their behalf has given 4 days ultimatum to the Kenya Power & Lighting Company to resolve power crisis.

Dekow Mohumed Duale (nick named Digi Digi) one of the elders said '' the whole problem roots from bad leadership, those who were elected are ignoring our problems”

The angry mob handed a written message for KenGen through the District Commissioner office who promised the problem will be looked at and solved before Friday.

yussuf ibrahim - yaash100@gmail.com