Kenya Power and Nairobi County Feud Escalates as DPP Orders Investigations
Authorities are under increasing pressure to deal with persons who are unlawfully disposing of rubbish and interfering with the Nairobi sewer system at the Kenya Power facility.
The decision to dump the rubbish comes after Nairobi City County and Kenya Power are still at odds over a bill.
On Wednesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the activities be looked into.
Deputy DPP Jacinta Nyamosi stated in a letter dated February 26 to the Director of Criminal Investigations that the incident has raised public anxiety and is, thus, a legitimate public interest issue.
Within seven days of receiving the letter, she instructed the DCI to submit the inquiry file and communicate with all pertinent public health, environmental, and water and sanitation stakeholders on the alleged matter.
After a high-level meeting called by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the county government and Kenya Power had reached an agreement on how to proceed with the matter.
The purpose of the conference, which brought together Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, was to resolve business conflicts between the two organizations resulting from Kenya Power’s over Sh4.9 billion in unpaid wayleave payments to the County.
Sakaja described the course of events that resulted in a strained relationship between the two entities.
Sakaja claims that in addition to Nairobi County’s outstanding electricity bills, Kenya Power owed the county Sh4.8 billion in unpaid wayleave fees.
After county officials cut off the water supply to Kenya Power offices, Kenya Power responded quickly by cutting off electricity to a number of county buildings on February 14, 2025.
To limit access, garbage trucks were stationed outside Kenya Power’s offices.
According to Sakaja, both sides decided to put an end to their arguments and settle the dispute amicably.
He mentioned that the trucks would be removed and the water supply would be restored by the county authority.
In reference to the unpaid electricity bills and wayleave fees, the governor clarified that Wandayi and his office will handle the issue independently.
