Power bank
The cheapest, most universal fix. A 10,000–20,000mAh power bank keeps your phone alive through almost any outage and doubles as backup for a router or small light via USB. If you only buy one thing, buy this.
Outage guides
Power backup that works in Kenya.
You don't need a full solar installation to stay functional during a blackout. Most Kenyan households get through outages fine with two or three well-chosen pieces of backup gear — the trick is matching the gear to how long your outages actually last.
Best for short outages
Power bank + solar lantern
Best for routine load shedding
Home UPS on your router
Goal
Stay charged, lit, and connected
Match your backup to your outage pattern
Before buying anything, it helps to know what kind of outages you actually deal with. Someone in an area with occasional, short KPLC interruptions has different needs from someone dealing with frequent evening blackouts. Check the planned power alerts for your area to see whether your outages tend to be planned and short, or unplanned and longer — that should shape what you spend money on first.
The three-tier approach
Solar lantern or rechargeable LED
Safer and cheaper to run than candles or paraffin lamps, and won't set anything on fire if knocked over. Look for one with a built-in USB-out port — some double as small power banks for your phone too.
Home UPS
Worth it if you work from home or rely on internet during outages. A compact UPS on your router, modem, and phone charger keeps you online through short blackouts without needing a generator.
What to skip, unless you really need it
Petrol generators make sense for businesses or households with frequent, long outages, but they're expensive to run, need fuel storage, and are loud enough to draw attention in residential estates. For most households, a generator is overkill compared to a power bank, a lantern, and a UPS covering the first few hours of an outage — which is when most outages actually end anyway.
A simple habit that costs nothing
Keep your power bank and lantern charged at all times, not just when you hear an outage is coming. KPLC notices don't always reach everyone in time, and unplanned outages give you no warning at all. Treat "fully charged backup gear" as a standing household rule, the same way you'd keep a torch by the door.
FAQ
How long does a typical power bank last during an outage?
A 20,000mAh power bank can usually recharge a phone 3–5 times, which covers most short-to-medium outages comfortably.
Is a home UPS worth it if my outages are short?
If your outages are usually under an hour, a UPS on your router keeps you online through almost all of them without needing a generator.
Where can I check if a power cut in my area is planned?
Check the planned power alerts or your county's live alerts on OutageKE before assuming it's unplanned.
Stay ready
Check today's outages before you need to.
See planned and unplanned outages near you, and report one if you spot it first.