Two Kenya Power employees narrowly escaped a beating on Tuesday morning after an angry mob of residents ganged up on them minutes after they disconnected power in the yet-to-be-identified Nairobi estate.
From the video now doing rounds on social media, the growing crowd attempts to block the way of the servicemen’s company vehicle with demands that they fix the power first before leaving.
“Kila siku mnatuharibia stima kwani mnataka tukae aje? Nyinyi mmetuzoea vibaya sana, mnataka tukae aje?,” the one recording is heard shouting, “Tokeni muende muunganishe!” he furiously adds, implying that the two Kenya Power technicians exit their vehicle.
In the end, they somehow managed to push their way out of the neighbourhood but one resident managed to pull out some unidentified equipment from the trunk of the vehicle as it sped off.
https://twitter.com/AmakanjiThomas/status/1295627618612662272?s=20
Although details on the exact location of the incident still remain unclear, a section of netizens seems to have appreciated the video and the actions of those filmed in it.
According to some, the punishment the two escaped today was long overdue, given that many Kenya Power officials have a habit of among other uncouth things, intentionally disconnecting power during the day then reconnect it in the evening in order to earn unjustified overtime salaries.
Others have insisted that the two are just mere employees of the power company infamous for blatant monopoly, arguing that despite the current tough times, Kenyans should find an excuse to vent their anger on innocent persons who only survive by following orders.
Here is what some of them had to say.
Just three weeks ago, a section of Makongeni residents threatened to hold demonstrations over lack of electricity for a period of two weeks.
The residents said they had been in darkness after Kenya Power disconnected power in the area.
“We have youth projects like chicken projects that cannot run without power. As we speak we have lost more than 2000 chicken to this blackout. I remember president Uhuru Kenyatta once told us that water and electricity are paramount during this time of corona. Why are they disconnecting us now?” asked another resident.
Makongeni is apparently not the only estate in Nairobi that has faced disconnection from power.
Approximately more than 30,000 households in Pipeline Estate have been without power for almost six days.
Kenya Power, however, says that the blackouts are as a result of a crackdown on illegal power connections in Nairobi.
The company has however promised to review areas that are legally connected and restore power.
