By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, June 26, 2026 - Thousands of patients and learners in Siaya County face disruption after Kenya Power disconnected electricity to several public hospitals and schools over millions of shillings in unpaid bills, exposing a deepening financial crisis within county governments and sparking political debate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The utility said the affected institutions had accumulated substantial arrears despite repeated demands for payment, leaving it with little choice but to enforce its credit policy.
"Kenya Power has a responsibility to recover outstanding bills from all customers to sustain reliable electricity supply and maintain the national grid," the company reportedly said, adding that no customer, including public institutions, is exempt from paying for electricity consumed.
The disconnections have immediately affected service delivery across Siaya.
Health officials warned that prolonged outages could cripple laboratory services, vaccine storage, maternity care and emergency treatment, while education authorities said learning had been disrupted in schools that rely on electricity for digital lessons, examinations, administration and security.
County officials acknowledged the debt burden but blamed delayed disbursement of funds from the National Treasury for the cash-flow crisis facing devolved governments.
"We are engaging Kenya Power to find an amicable solution because these are essential public institutions serving our people," a senior county official on anonymity said, adding that efforts were underway to settle part of the outstanding bills and restore supply.
School administrators described the shutdown as a major setback.
"Electricity is no longer a luxury in schools. It powers learning, administration, ICT laboratories and security. The interruption affects both teaching and the welfare of learners," one principal said.
Medical personnel expressed similar concerns, warning that patient care could deteriorate if electricity remains unavailable.
More from Kenya
"Hospitals cannot operate efficiently without power. Refrigeration of vaccines, diagnostic services and emergency care all depend on a stable electricity supply," a hospital administrator noted.
The standoff underscores the widening financial strain confronting many county governments more than a decade after devolution. Delayed exchequer releases, rising recurrent expenditure and mounting pending bills have left several counties struggling to meet obligations to suppliers and state corporations.
For Kenya Power, however, the issue is equally commercial. The listed electricity distributor has intensified efforts to recover unpaid bills as it seeks to improve revenue collection, strengthen its balance sheet and finance investments in the country's power infrastructure.
The Siaya dispute also carries political implications.
As leaders begin positioning themselves for the 2027 elections, critics are likely to portray the disconnections as evidence of weak financial management within county governments, while governors continue to argue that erratic funding from the national government has undermined service delivery.
For residents, the political blame game offers little comfort.
What matters is whether lights return to hospitals before medicines spoil, surgeries are delayed and mothers in labour are forced to seek care elsewhere, or whether schools can resume normal learning without prolonged interruptions.
The confrontation has become more than a debt collection exercise. It is a stark reminder that when public finances come under pressure, essential services are often the first casualties, leaving ordinary citizens to pay the highest price.