On the evening of July 29, a widespread power outage affected millions across Kenya, including Nairobi, the Coast, Mt. Kenya, and parts of the Central Rift. The blackout, which began shortly after 8:30 pm, left many in darkness while Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) scrambled to restore electricity.
As the outage unfolded, social media quickly became a hub for humour and political satire. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna emerged as the focal point of many jokes, with the question "Is Sifuna okay?" trending widely. This was a playful nod to Sifuna’s fiery interview the previous day, where he criticised President William Ruto’s administration and emphasised constitutionalism and governance.
Internet users suggested the blackout followed his remarks, humorously questioning his safety amid the nationwide power failure. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was also drawn into the banter, with some sarcastically wondering if he would accept that the outage affected the entire country, given his past claims that the Mt. Kenya region was being unfairly targeted.
Public Reactions
- James Ngugi: "Someone to confirm on our Sifuna, maybe he is being abducted."
- Maurice Ouma Onyango: "But God is merciful. We use the fire-flies and the moon to lighten our villages."
- Beatrice Kianira: "Somebody to confirm if Sifuna is okay kindly."
- Komuono: "Will Gachagua understand that it wasn't Murima only that was targeted?"
- Nick Koech Tinget: "It will be a busy night, as many people have been forced to retire to bed early. Kenya's population will increase tremendously in 9 months."
KPLC Response
KPLC confirmed the blackout affected multiple regions but did not disclose the cause at the time. Technical teams were deployed to resolve the issue, and the company apologised for the inconvenience caused to customers.
