Panic swept through Ngong Hills on Tuesday afternoon after a wind turbine at the Ngong Hills Wind Farm was engulfed in flames, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the sky in a dramatic incident that has left Kenya Electricity Generating Company (Kengen) counting losses estimated to run into tens of millions of shillings.

The shocking scene unfolded at around 3 pm, stunning nearby residents and visitors who frequent the scenic hills, a popular tourist and hiking destination just outside Nairobi.

Images obtained by Daily Trends show intense flames consuming the towering turbine, with dark smoke visible from miles away, sparking fear and speculation over possible power disruptions and safety risks.

Kengen Breaks Silence

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Kengen confirmed the fire, clarifying that the incident occurred during a scheduled maintenance exercise at the wind farm.

According to the power producer, the affected turbine, a 0.85-megawatt unit, had already been taken offline as part of planned maintenance works when the fire broke out.

“The affected 0.85-megawatt wind turbine was already offline at the time of the incident,” Kengen stated, adding that all personnel on site were accounted for and safe.

The company further assured Kenyans that the incident posed no risk to the national power supply, dismissing fears of blackouts.

“There has been no interruption or risk to electricity supply to the national grid,” the statement read.

Investigations Launched

Kengen revealed that its internal safety team, working alongside relevant regulatory and safety agencies, has launched investigations to determine the cause of the fire and assess the full extent of the damage.

The probe will also focus on identifying corrective and preventive measures to avert similar incidents in the future.

While the exact cause remains unclear, the scale of the fire has raised questions about turbine safety, maintenance protocols, and the vulnerability of critical renewable energy infrastructure.

Reaffirming its commitment to safety, the electricity generator emphasized that workplace safety remains a core value across all its operations.

Kengen noted that strict health and safety standards continue to guide its maintenance and power generation activities, even as it expands Kenya’s renewable energy footprint.

The Ngong Hills Wind Farm is one of Kenya’s earliest and most iconic wind power projects, playing a crucial role in the country’s push toward clean, green, and sustainable energy.

As investigations continue and damage assessments are finalized, the dramatic blaze has reignited debate on infrastructure resilience, even as Kenya races toward a renewable-powered future.