Kenyans In Stitches As Tanzanian Celebrities Complain About Regular Blackouts: "Who's Laughing Now?"

• Kenya was on the receiving end after Tanzanians made fun of the country following a nationwide blackout
• Tables turned when Tanzanians started complaining about being in the dark for days
• Kenyans on social media jumped on the opportunity to give them a taste of their medicine

Tanzanian celebrities are bearing the brunt of jokes on social media after several power blackouts hit the East African country.

What did Kenyans say about Tanzania blackouts?

Weeks earlier, the celebrities had trolled Kenyans over a nationwide power blackout that paralysed large parts of the country, including the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Mocking their change in fortune, Kenyans laughed at how the celebrities were now pleading with Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) to restore power after weeks of chest-thumping.

Here are some of the reactions:

@just_massari:

"The longest Kenya Power messed us up was 13hrs, and we almost picked up our pitchforks. Our neighbours are going 24hrs?”

@lucie_serero:

"Getting a taste of her own medicine.”

Tanzania, just like Kenya, is grappling with disruptions in electricity supply. The country has been rationing power since September 2023 as a measure to steady power distribution.

Blackouts in Tanzania are said to last hours and, on some occasions, days.

The end of power challenges facing the country is, however, in sight after Julius Nyerere hydropower dam started filling with water.

When complete in 2024, the dam is expected to double the country's installed capacity.

What caused Kenya's blackout?

Days earlier, Kenya's Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir had blamed the latest nationwide outage on an overload in one of the key lines.

Chirchir said Kenya Power will start rationing electricity supply in areas with high electricity demand amid calls for his firing.

He explained that Kenya's ageing transmission lines, delayed power projects and poorly maintained grid were among the root causes of frequent disruptions.

Kenya is banking on Uganda’s connection to fully restore electricity supply. However, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is limited in exporting its excess power due to the country's stalled transmission network.

The situation is not any better in Rwanda. It, too is battling power outages, including one scheduled for Christmas Eve.