A two-week power outage in Masalani town and the larger Ijara Constituency in general following flooding by the River Tana has led to a deterioration of service delivery by national and county government departments. According to Masalani Town Community Leader Abdullahi Abdi, the water sector, health, education, security, and business enterprises have been affected, especially vegetable and milk vendors, cyber cafes, garages, and three petrol stations within Masalani town. The vegetable and milk vendors have lost business since their produce cannot be refrigerated due to lack of power.
Adan Ali, the Board Chairman of Masalani Sub-County Referral Hospital, said services are paralysed since various health sectors, such as laboratory services and maternity, cannot function, forcing medical staff to refer patients to Garissa County Referral Hospital. Alternatively, said Ali, the sick opt to visit private clinics within Masalani town or private pharmacies and chemists where they obtain over-the-counter medication. Mrs.
Furaha Abdullahi, who runs a cosmetic shop in Masalani town, said several weddings which were to take place had been suspended due to lack of electricity at barber shops and beauty and cosmetics shops to render beauty services to the bride and the bride groom, and their attendants before the wedding ceremony. Additionally, some 600 students at Yusuff Haji Girls’ Secondary School have been unable to attend night studies and spend the night in dark dormitories witho.