Govt initiates plan to curb persistent power outages in Garissa
By Kenneth Mwenda, May 2, 2026The Kenya Power substation in Garissa County, first commissioned in May 2016, is undergoing a major upgrade that will more than double its capacity to address long-standing electricity interruptions in the region.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale inspected the facility over the weekend during a working visit aimed at assessing progress on the government’s directive to improve power reliability in northern Kenya.
In a statement, Duale said on Saturday, May 2, 2026, that the substation was originally built with a single 7.5 megavolt-ampere (MVA) transformer when it was commissioned in 2016. However, rapid population growth and new demand, including plans to connect Dadaab town to the national grid, quickly strained the system.
“Under the principle of Cabinet collective responsibility, I followed through on the government’s commitment to reliable electricity as a critical enabler for healthcare, economic growth and improved livelihoods,” he stated.
“The substation was commissioned in May 2016, with a single 7.5 MVA transformer. Rapid urban growth and the planned connection of Dadaab town to the national grid soon made that capacity inadequate.”
To address the pressure, Kenya Power later added a second transformer, raising capacity to 15MVA. Despite this, the region has continued to experience outages linked to rising demand.
During his visit, Duale confirmed that a new 23MVA transformer has already been delivered to the site and will be installed as part of the ongoing upgrade programme.
Capacity set to rise
Once installation is complete, the substation’s total capacity will increase to 38MVA, representing a significant expansion from its original setup at commissioning in 2016.
Duale said installation work is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 4, 2026, and is expected to take two weeks.
He said the upgrade is part of the government’s wider plan to improve electricity supply under President William Ruto’s directive to strengthen key infrastructure across the country.
According to Duale, a reliable power supply is central to improving healthcare services, supporting business activity, and expanding livelihoods in the region.
He said the project reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that remote and underserved areas are connected to a stable electricity supply.
The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Garissa County Commissioner Ramadhan Mwabudzo and hosted at the substation by Kenya Power County Manager Yunis Bishar.
Officials at the site said the expanded capacity will support both Garissa town and surrounding areas, including Dadaab, which has been pushing for more stable power to support public services and local development.
The government says it will continue upgrading energy infrastructure in other regions as part of its broader economic transformation agenda.