By: Yusuff Baishe
Residents of the Hidabo area on Amu Island are filled with fear and anger due to what they describe as major negligence by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) in handling a dangerous, leaning electricity pole.
A Life-Threatening Pole
For over a year, residents have lived in fear because of an electricity pole that is severely bent. Even though it was “fixed” in the past, the solution was not permanent. Instead of replacing it, the pole was simply tied to another one to stop it from falling, a situation the residents believe is completely unsafe. Videos circulating on TikTok clearly show how dangerous the pole is.
Resident Concerns and KPLC Negligence
The residents’ fear has grown because the relevant authorities seem indifferent. Mwanahalima Shee, a local resident, described their difficult situation, saying, “We cannot even sleep peacefully because of this fear. If it falls, and considering how the power lines are connected, won’t we all die and be turned into charcoal?”
Additionally, one of the residents who recorded the video expressed frustration over empty promises from KPLC, saying: “I am among those who went to the local KPLC office in Amu, and their only answer was ‘go, we will come and fix it,’ but until today, nothing has been done.”
The situation has become so bad that a tragic incident was reported at a home near the pole. A child was hit by an electric shock and fainted while on the floor near the power lines. This incident has left residents in constant worry, fearing that a bigger disaster could happen at any time.
Public Outcry (Comments from Social Media)
Citizens have continued to voice their complaints and are asking the government and leaders to intervene:
Jmniiii: “Please help us in Hidabo, may God protect us.”
Hasnatybby: “Leaders, wherever you are, we ask you to step up. We, the residents of Hidabo, have no peace at all.”
Amishatb: “KPLC is in no hurry to fix anything. When they are called with complaints, they don’t take action, unless it’s private… surely.”
Kicchuna: “The danger is just waiting for a disaster to happen. The power company staff are very disrespectful.”
My name: “Nowadays the power surges are too strong; they are burning our food, I swear.”
Grangmother T: “Please solve the problems in Lamu Hidabo before a disaster happens.”
Dr. Faiz (aspirant) “In Shaa Allah, I will follow up on this issue, and God willing, it will be fixed.”
A Call to Leaders
The residents of Hidabo are now making an urgent call to the leaders of Lamu County to intervene and pressure KPLC to take immediate action to replace the pole before a major tragedy occurs.
