NAIROBI, Aug 31, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A power cut plunged large parts of Kenya including the capital Nairobi into darkness on Friday, the East African economic powerhouse's main electricity supplier said.

All regions served by the national network lost power apart from North Rift and parts of the Western Region, Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) said in a statement.

"We regret any inconvenience caused and urge for patience from our customers as we work towards restoring normalcy at the earliest opportunity," it added.

Frustrated Kenyans were swift to vent their anger on social media after the power cut hit at around 9:30 pm (1830 GMT).

"Now KPLC gotta be standing for Kenya poor lighting Company," read one sarcastic post on X, formerly Twitter.

Flights at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a major regional passenger and freight hub, was unaffected as it switched to back-up power systems and generators, the Kenya Airports Authority said on X.

Local blackouts are fairly common in Kenya but the country has recently suffered large-scale power cuts.

In August last year, a giant power cut affected almost the entire country for close to 24 hours, including Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.