Central Bank of Kenya plunged into darkness for close to 24 hours after power company cuts off electricity over unpaid bill

The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) was close to 24 hours severely compromised after it was plunged into darkness following unpaid electricity bills.

Kenya Power on Wednesday cut off the electricity supply to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) offices in Kisumu after a disagreement over unpaid bills accrued over a three-month period.

Kenya Power Western Kenya Regional Manager, Dan Obiero, confirmed the utility firm had initially cut off supply on Wednesday due to Sh5 million unpaid bills running from November 2017 to January 2018.

“It is true the electricity was disconnected on Wednesday but has since been restored,” Mr Obiero said at his office in Kisumu on Thursday.

The power was however reconnected back after the bill was paid.

The bank officials stated they were in the dark over the accrued bill since they had not received bill invoices for the months of November and December 2017 and January 2018.

“They however, cleared the bills today (Thursday) and our officers (have) already reconnected the supply,” added Mr Obiero.

Also read: BILL SEEKING TO END KENYA POWER MONOLOPY TABLED IN PARLIAMENT

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Kisumu is a crucial entity, a subsidiary of the CBK headquartered in Nairobi, and deals with regulatory matters in the western region.

It provides financial services to government ministries, departments, agencies, semi-autonomous State institutions and counties.

Also read: AFRICA’S LARGEST WIND POWER PLANT RELOCATES TO TANZANIA FROM KENYA

It also licenses and undertakes surveillance of financial institutions to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

The brief blackout however exposes the bank soft underbelly since such a crucial facility to the economy of the country ought to never been at that point in the first place and it shows it can easily be compromised.