More urban and rural areas are connected to the grid than ever before. But with increased electrification comes an increased demand on infrastructure. Unfortunately, many countries in Africa can’t handle their new loads. The result: regular power cuts.
When the power goes, so does productivity. Our workshop shut down for the day because we can’t use any of our equipment. The internet is out. The power isn’t expected back until the late evening. For many, the day is simply added to a growing list of lost time.
But my time here is short, so I try to make the most of the situation. When power goes down in one area of town, I find work that needs to be done in another. Tomorrow morning, I will try my luck again in the shop.
msafiri mzungu 
October 27, 2009 at 2:23 pm
We’re working on it…
October 28, 2009 at 8:41 am
Kate, I’m sure you know more about this than anyone else I know. Care to share some details of how? I’m curious, and many other people probably are too. It seems like a daunting challenge, especially when working with governments is involved.
October 28, 2009 at 9:48 am
We feel the power rationing in Kenya’s North Eastern Province greatly also.
In fact, all of yesterday – from the morning until probably 11pm there was no power.
Power seems to be always a hit or miss in this area and when we had the heavy rains that flooded some parts of NEP, we ended up having more power issues as well as a loss of cell phone network – entirely for a weekend, and the data network is still hit or miss.
With vision 2030 we are hoping that things will improve, though we can’t really know for sure what will happen and what wont. So the best thing we can do is make the best of what we do have and work with it the best we can.
October 29, 2009 at 2:39 am
seems like they need individual power sources – to not rely on government. Or private companies that compete the good old fashioned capitalist way.
October 29, 2009 at 10:25 am
Many people are turning to generators, although the fuel can get expensive. Solar is up and coming, although the price of solar panels still needs to go down a lot. Private companies that provide good competition in the markets could actually quite a long way, I think…