{
  "id": 13216809,
  "title": "How power blackouts are costing Kenyan businesses",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/how-power-blackouts-are-costing-kenyan-businesses",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-09T21:11:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/business/how-power-blackouts-are-costing-kenyan-businesses"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kenyan businesses are grappling with persistent electricity reliability issues, as power interruptions are averaging around three and a half hours, according to a new report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). The study, titled \"Exploring Kenya’s Power Quality Landscape,\" found that the average duration of power outages between 2019 and 2023 surpassed the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (EPRA) target of 3.5 hours. This places Kenya among countries with the longest average power interruptions, signaling a significant challenge for businesses operating in the country.\n\nWhile the report does not provide a complete financial impact, it highlights that frequent power outages can lead to production delays, increased operating expenses, and hinder the competitiveness of enterprises. For SMEs, in particular, these interruptions can pose significant challenges, as they may struggle to afford alternative electricity sources like generators, fuel, or battery storage systems. Manufacturers, retailers, restaurants, and other electricity-dependent enterprises are directly affected, as power outages can stop production lines, delay deliveries, and disrupt customer service.\n\nBeyond individual interruptions, Kenya's annual power system losses consistently exceed the recommended 10 percent limit, ranging between 15 and 25 percent between 2019 and 2023. Ghana recorded the highest average at 24 percent. The report attributes these losses to factors such as ageing infrastructure, inadequate maintenance, financing challenges, weather conditions, and rising electricity demand. The findings underscore the need for improved infrastructure, regular maintenance, and the adoption of modern technologies to enhance power quality in Kenya. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring a dependable electricity supply as businesses expand, adopt new technologies, and increase their energy consumption.",
  "summary": "Kenyan businesses are facing a persistent electricity reliability challenge, with power interruptions averaging three hours and 40 minutes, raising concerns about production delays, operating expenses and the competitiveness of enterprises, according to a new report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA). The findings highlight how unreliable electricity can…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}