A live radio interview featuring Kilifi gubernatorial aspirant Aisha Jumwa Katana was unexpectedly interrupted on Monday morning after electricity went out at Coco FM studios in Kilifi County.
The blackout occurred during the station’s popular Coco Asubuhi program, a broadcast that had attracted significant attention from listeners across Kilifi and Mombasa.
The interview had been progressing normally as Jumwa discussed issues affecting the county and her leadership ambitions. However, the studio suddenly lost power, bringing normal operations to a halt.
A video that later circulated on social media showed the studio in darkness while the interview was still ongoing. Despite the disruption, Jumwa remained calm and continued speaking as those around her tried to deal with the situation.
During the incident, Jumwa suggested that the power outage may not have been accidental. She claimed that someone could have deliberately ordered the interruption in an attempt to interfere with her opportunity to address the public through the radio platform.
Although she did not identify any individual or group she believed was responsible, she used the moment to call for fair political competition.
Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa PHOTO/COURTESY
“Why should one fear another? We should meet at the ballot and whoever is strong will win,” she said during the interview. Her remarks focused on the importance of allowing leaders to compete through democratic processes rather than through actions intended to block opponents from reaching voters.
The incident quickly became a major topic of discussion online. The video was widely shared across social media platforms, with many Kenyans expressing different views on what may have happened.
Some linked the incident to growing political competition in Kilifi as leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Jumwa remains one of the most recognizable political figures in the coastal region and has built a reputation for speaking openly on political and social issues.
Her interest in the Kilifi governor’s seat has already generated debate and attracted attention from both supporters and rivals.
Coco FM had heavily promoted the interview before the broadcast, with many listeners expecting a detailed discussion on development priorities, leadership and Jumwa’s plans for the county.
The sudden interruption therefore drew even more attention because of the high expectations surrounding the program.
So far, no official explanation has been provided regarding the cause of the power outage. It remains unclear whether the blackout resulted from a technical fault, routine maintenance or another factor.
The incident has added another layer of interest to Kilifi’s evolving political landscape, with residents closely watching developments as competition for future leadership positions begins to take shape.
