By Staff Reporter | Wajir Today | Saturday, 7 February 2026
Wajir town was hit by a fresh widespread power blackout on Thursday, leaving more than half of its neighbourhoods in darkness just days before President William Ruto is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the town’s new 10,000-seater stadium.
Residents reported power rationing lasting more than 12 hours in some areas, sparking frustration as the holy month of Ramadan approaches.
A spot-check by Wajir Today revealed households and businesses struggling without electricity, with local shops shuttered and daily activities disrupted.
Frustrated residents are calling on local leaders to set aside political differences and address the town’s long-standing electricity woes.
“We are not interested in the two ‘Tutam’ songs that will be sung when the president comes. The government and leaders must solve this electricity problem,” said Mr Ahmed Mumin, a local resident.
Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about unreliable power, emphasising that political pageantry cannot replace practical solutions.
“Our biggest problems are the lack of electricity and the ravaging dry spell in our county. These issues must be raised because they affect the people of Wajir every day,” Mumin added.
Local businesses have struggled with frequent blackouts, turning routine operations into daily challenges. Many residents hope President Ruto will directly address the crisis during his visit.
“We are appealing to the President to provide a lasting solution to the electricity problem. This is our biggest issue at the moment,” said Mohamed Abdi, a resident.
For years, Wajir has remained off the national power grid, leaving the town reliant on ageing generators that frequently break down.
Earlier on Friday, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) held a consultative meeting with residents to discuss power supply issues and strengthen public engagement.
The forum brought together community members, local leaders, and KPLC officials to identify challenges affecting electricity delivery.
KPLC management said the recent outages were caused by breakdowns in the generators that power Wajir, an off-grid county.
“Being off-grid, we face challenges from time to time, but mitigation measures are in place to address power shortfalls,” said Mr Hassan Issack, KPLC County Business Manager.
Issack also revealed plans to establish a hybrid solar plant in Wajir, which would increase local electricity generation capacity by six megawatts.
“The solar project is at an advanced stage and will provide a more reliable and sustainable power supply for the town,” he said.
Residents, however, say they are tired of promises and temporary fixes. They want concrete action to ensure electricity is available consistently, not just during high-profile visits.
“The blackout affects our businesses, schools, and hospitals. Every day without power is a setback for the people of Wajir,” Mumin noted.
As Wajir prepares to welcome President Ruto, the town’s eleciricty crisis remains unresolved, leaving many hopeful that the visit will finally bring a lasting solution.
