Kenya's Essential Government Services Grind to a Halt After Power Failure
Nakuru, 15 June 2026
A single power outage in Nakuru has paralysed all 57 Huduma Centres nationwide, cutting off access to over 70 vital services—from ID cards to court filings—for millions. Refugees in Kakuma and Kalobeyei face urgent delays in securing legal documentation, while revenue collection stalls. No timeline for restoration has been given.
The Scope of Disruption: Over 70 Services Affected Nationwide
On Monday, 15 June 2026, a power outage at a data centre in Nakuru brought all 57 Huduma Centres across Kenya to a standstill, disrupting access to more than 70 essential government services [1][2][6]. The outage has halted critical documentation processes, including applications for national identity cards, birth and death certificates, and police abstracts—services that are particularly vital for refugees in Kakuma and Kalobeyei camps seeking legal recognition and administrative support [1]. The disruption extends beyond documentation, affecting business registrations, Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) compliance certificates, and loan repayment services, as well as registrations and contributions for the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF/SHA) [1][6].
How Kenyans Can Access Services During the Outage
While Huduma Centres remain offline, Kenyans are advised to monitor official updates from Huduma Kenya and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for alternative arrangements [1][2]. The Huduma Kenya call centre remains operational until 21:00 (East Africa Time) for inquiries, though it cannot process transactions [2]. Citizens requiring urgent services are encouraged to dial the call centre or visit the Huduma Kenya website for real-time updates [2]. For refugees in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, UNHCR has indicated it will provide guidance on temporary measures, though no specific alternatives have been announced as of 15 June 2026 [alert! ‘UNHCR has not released official details on alternative arrangements for refugees’].
The Broader Implications: Revenue Loss and Infrastructure Vulnerabilities
The nationwide disruption highlights critical vulnerabilities in Kenya’s digital infrastructure, particularly the reliance on a single data centre in Nakuru [1][2][6]. The outage has not only inconvenienced citizens but also disrupted revenue collection for the government, as fee-based services—such as business registrations and court fines—generate significant income for state agencies [1][6]. While the exact financial impact remains unquantified, the suspension of thousands of daily transactions is expected to result in a measurable shortfall [1].
What Happens Next: Monitoring Updates and Preparing for Restoration
Huduma Kenya has not provided a timeline for the restoration of services, though technical teams are working to resolve the outage [1][2][6]. Citizens are advised to avoid visiting Huduma Centres until further notice, as no in-person services are currently available [1]. For real-time updates, the public can follow Huduma Kenya’s official social media channels, including X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, or visit the Huduma Kenya website [2]. Refugees in Kakuma and Kalobeyei should stay in contact with UNHCR field offices for guidance on documentation processes [alert! ‘UNHCR has not yet issued specific instructions for refugees’].