MP Lesuuda slams empty CS promises, demands action on Samburu power outages
By Faith Lagat, August 9, 2025Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda has sharply criticised the Cabinet Secretary for Energy over ongoing power outages in her constituency, accusing the government of issuing empty promises while residents continue to suffer.
Lesuuda took to her X on August 9, 2025, and expressed frustration with official statements that claim the problem has been resolved, saying the reality on the ground tells a different story.
She said, “The issue of CS’s responding to us without getting facts on the ground, through their committees, will not be acceptable in this house.” Lesuuda challenged the Energy Committee’s assertion that the outages had been addressed, noting that Samburu West remained without power for entire days, including Tuesday and Sunday.
Lesuuda emphasised the severe impact of the outages on residents, saying, “We have children in incubators, businesspersons running enterprises in Maralal, and students studying using electricity. If someone thinks Samburu only uses manyattas and tin lamps, that’s wrong. We want electricity just like other counties.”
She called for equal access to reliable power and condemned the flowery language used by officials that fails to reflect the harsh conditions faced by her constituents.
Disruptions affect critical services
The power outages have disrupted essential services across Samburu West. Health facilities struggle to operate incubators and other critical equipment without steady electricity. Businesses in Maralal face operational challenges, and students are hindered in their studies due to lack of lighting. The persistent blackouts paint a stark picture of inequality, with Samburu lagging behind other counties in basic infrastructure access.
Lesuuda’s remarks also challenge long-held stereotypes that portray Samburu communities as reliant solely on traditional lifestyles. Her demand for electricity highlights the growing need for development and modernisation to keep pace with Kenya’s broader progress.
Energy sector under scrutiny
The energy sector in Kenya is under broader examination following recent revelations about budget overruns in key projects. On August 7, 2025, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira faced tough questions from the Public Debt and Privatisation Committee over the National System Control Centre (NSCC) project. The project’s budget jumped from Ksh6.5 million to Ksh11.5 million, raising concerns about financial management.
Committee Chairperson Abdi Shurie expressed disapproval, saying, “There is a very large variation between the initial amount and the current one. Adding 5 million to the initial amount is almost equivalent to a 100 per cent increase, and whatever you have submitted does not justify this.” Wachira cited inflation, the Covid-19 pandemic, and an expanded project scope as reasons for the increase, assuring that the NSCC would enhance Kenya’s electricity grid’s efficiency and reliability.
Calls for accountability and equity
The controversy around the NSCC budget and ongoing power outages in Samburu West highlight systemic challenges within Kenya’s energy sector. Lesuuda’s public condemnation underscores the need for government accountability, especially regarding promises made to communities suffering prolonged outages.
For Samburu West residents, reliable electricity is not a luxury but a necessity. Lesuuda’s demand for tangible action is a call to bridge the gap between political rhetoric and on-the-ground realities, ensuring all Kenyans have fair access to essential services.