Friday, 28 February, 2025
Committee seeks resolution of escalating dispute between Kenya Power and Nairobi County Government๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐,๐๐๐๐
Standoff between Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) and the Nairobi City County government has caught the attention of the National Assembly Committee on Energy prompting the committee to intervene.
The committee sought a response from the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Energy regarding efforts to resolve the ongoing dispute, which saw Nairobi County dump waste at the entrance of KPLCโs headquarters and disconnect water supply to all its buildings.
The conflict emerged from KPLCโs decision to disconnect electricity for Nairobi County offices over unpaid bills.
In retaliation, the county government in a quick response took drastic measures, including dumping garbage at KPLCโs headquarters, blocking sewer line and cutting off water supply to its buildings.
Committee members have condemed the move by the County government as unprofessional and uncivilized.
During the session, Hon. Tom Odege raised concerns about the welfare of Kenya Power employees and the broader implications of the standoff.
โWe saw a very ugly standoff between Kenya Power and the Nairobi County government yesterday. Can the CS assure this committee that the matter is being addressed?โ he questioned.
Hon. Odegeโs concerns were echoed by other committee members, including Hon. Mulanya, who criticized the countyโs actions calling on the Governor to own the mess.
โNairobi County should be responsible enough, even when there are issues. Whatever they did yesterday is regrettable in any civilized country,โ he stated.
In response, the CS for Energy, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, informed the committee that he had engaged Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to prevent further escalation.
โI engaged with Governor Sakaja yesterday to stop the escalation of the matter and restore normalcy as we explore ways of resolving the matter amicably,โ he said.
Hon. Wandayi also clarified that KPLC does not owe Nairobi County any outstanding water bills.
He further dismissed claims of unpaid wayleaves, stating that such charges are illegal under the Energy Act of 2019.
โNo public body shall charge levies on public energy infrastructure without the consent of the Cabinet Secretary in writting. As we speak, there is no such consent,โ he emphasized.
Committee Chair Hon. Vincent Musyoka condemned the countyโs actions, describing them as criminal.
He urged counties to fulfill their financial obligations to Kenya Power without resorting to retaliatory measures.
โDisconnect everyone who is not paying bills, even if it means disconnecting governorsโ offices. This committee is committed to supporting you in this course,โ he declared.
The committee has demanded an apology from the Nairobi County government for its actions and advised the Ministry of Energy to remain steadfast in ensuring that all consumers, including public institutions, pay their electricity bills as required.