Electricity is Not a Luxury
By Prof. Nassir Hussein Kahin, Executive Managing Editor, Bridgingsomaliland, Hargeisa, Somaliland,
In the capital of Somaliland, a silent struggle is playing out behind closed doors and dimly lit rooms. Across Hargeisa, families, small business owners, and students are facing a punishing wave of electricity bills—charges that far exceed their actual usage and, in many cases, defy explanation. The cost of powering a modest household has become unbearable, with some residents paying as much as $1 per kilowatt-hour, one of the highest rates in the world.
This is not merely a case of economic hardship. What is unfolding appears to be a deeply flawed and potentially abusive system, driven by unregulated private electricity providers operating without oversight or accountability. These providers, which have proliferated since the collapse of national regulation, set their own prices, supply their own meters, and maintain fragmented mini-grids that leave the consumer vulnerable and powerless in more ways than one.
Allegations of fraud are mounting. Residents report meters spinning even when appliances are turned off, unexplained spikes in bills, and dramatic differences in usage compared to neighbors with similar households. Some consumers have even resorted to importing meters from abroad to verify their suspicions—often finding that bills drop by half once the new meters are installed. Such findings raise serious concerns about meter tampering, voltage manipulation, and the use of rigged or faulty equipment designed to inflate consumption.
A public guide titled “Community Guide: How to Detect Electricity Overcharging / Hagaha Bulshada: Sida Loo Ogaado Xatooyada Korontada” is now circulating throughout Hargeisa. It teaches users to monitor their meters, record readings daily, compare usage with neighbors, and be wary of pre-programmed meters when switching providers. It also outlines how some companies may use fraudulent methods such as installing tampered software, delivering high voltage to push up consumption, or manipulating wiring—especially the neutral line—to distort readings.
While these grassroots efforts to raise awareness are commendable, they are not enough. It is time for residents to act collectively, not just as consumers, but as citizens. I urge every reader to call or write to their elected representatives in parliament and demand urgent legislative action. This is no longer a private inconvenience—it is a public crisis that undermines household stability, business sustainability, and public trust in basic infrastructure.
Parliament must prioritize passing a comprehensive electricity law that licenses providers, enforces meter and billing standards, and establishes an independent regulatory body with investigative and enforcement powers. Without such action, the market will remain a patchwork of unchecked profiteering, where the poor suffer the most and no one is held accountable.
Consumers need protection—but that protection will only come when voters raise their voices. Constituents must push their MPs to recognize that electricity is not a luxury, nor is it an open field for exploitation. It is a right, and its fair access is essential to Somaliland’s dignity, development, and democratic promise.
The situation in Hargeisa should serve as a wake-up call for all of Somaliland. We cannot expect progress or recognition on the world stage while our own citizens are being overcharged and underserved in their own homes. This is not just about watts and wires—it is about justice, transparency, and the role of government in defending the people.
The time to act is now. Not just by switching providers or changing meters, but by demanding that lawmakers fulfill their duty to the public. Light up your homes, yes—but also shine a light on the system itself. And if your bill is suspiciously high, your meter spinning wildly, or your neighbors paying half what you do, don’t just complain—call your MP and call for change.
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