Kiamuringa residents cry foul over week-long blackout after transformer theft
By William Muthama, July 6, 2026Residents of Kiamuringa in Mbeere South, Embu County, are appealing to Kenya Power to urgently replace a transformer that was stolen, saying the week-long blackout has disrupted livelihoods, crippled businesses and heightened insecurity in the area.
In an interview with a local TV station on Monday, July 6, 2026, the residents say the prolonged power outage has brought normal life to a standstill, with businesses that depend on electricity suffering losses and households struggling to access essential services.
Nicholas Njeru said residents should not be made to suffer for a crime they did not commit, urging Kenya Power to replace the stolen transformer without further delay.
“Tuko na shida na tunaomba. Sababu sio sisi tuliiba transformer. Tulikuta tu imeibiwa… Tunaomba sisi watu wa Kiamuringa hatuna shida ingine. Tunataka tu waturudishie transformer,” said Kiamuringa.
Businesses brought to standstill
Margaret Munyi said many residents were initially unaware that the transformer had been stolen, believing the power outage was caused by a routine electricity fault.
She said the blackout has severely affected businesses in Kiamuringa market, including barber shops, salons, butcheries and posho mills, while households can no longer use refrigerators or electric water pumps.
“Sisi tulifikiria ni stima tu imepotea huku Kiamuringa. Hatukujua ni transformer imeibiwa. Watu wa Kiamuringa ni watu wa kujituma, ni hustlers. Wako na mabiashara nyingi… Kuna wenye wako na posho mills. Sasa biashara zote zimekwama,” she said.
Wa-Iragu said residents have repeatedly contacted Kenya Power but their appeals have yet to bear fruit.
“Naomba tu kwa heshima ya kwamba sisi tukoko katika hali ya giza. Transformer yetu iliibiwa. Sasa ni wiki moja imeisha, na tumekuwa tukizungumza na watu wa Kenya Power wanapromise, wanapromise, wamepromise lakini tunaona tu hakuna. Kwa hivyo tunaomba tu kwa heshima wakubali tu watuletee hiyo transformer ili tuwe na mwangaza,” he added.
Rising insecurity concerns
Wa-Iragu expressed concern over rising insecurity, saying criminals have taken advantage of the blackout to target businesses and homes.
“Sasa tunaomba watu wapo watusaidie ndio ata wakora wametokea wengi. Hapa maduka zinafunjwa. Wakora wanaenda mpaka kwa mashamba na kwa maboma wanachukua kuku usiku. Sasa tunaomba watusaidie,” he said.
He also appealed to Kenya Power to install the replacement transformer within the compound of a nearby primary school, saying the location, which is close to a secondary school and a church, has adequate security.
“Na ikiwezekana watuweke hiyo transformer kwa shule ya primary. Kukona shule ya primary, ya secondary, ata kanisa iko, na huko kukona security ya kutosha,” Wa-Iragu said.
Residents are now calling on Kenya Power to expedite the replacement of the transformer, warning that the continued blackout is affecting businesses, disrupting daily life and exposing the community to increased insecurity.