The ongoing standoff between the Nairobi County Government and Kenya Power (KPLC), which is listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange, has taken a new turn as more governors step in to support or oppose the actions taken by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
On Thursday, February 27, Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir openly sided with Sakaja, expressing his solidarity amid mounting criticism over how Nairobi County has handled the dispute with Kenya Power.
Governor Nassir revealed that Mombasa County had also faced similar challenges with various state agencies over pending bills, leading to drastic actions. He emphasized that county governments have the authority over wayleaves and that Kenya Power should stick to its role of supplying electricity rather than interfering with county functions.
“The official position of all governors is that wayleaves management falls under county jurisdiction. If their job is to supply electricity, then they should not take up responsibilities that do not belong to them.
This has gone too far,” Governor Nassir stated. He further disclosed that despite written agreements between Mombasa County and Kenya Power, the utility company continued to issue threats regarding pending bills.
He also condemned KPLC for using county resources without compensating local governments, saying, “It is unlawful and unconstitutional for Kenya Power to occupy and exploit county resources without reimbursing the people through their elected county administrations.”
Council of Governors Intervenes
The Council of Governors (CoG) has also weighed in on the dispute, calling for structured mechanisms to resolve conflicts between state agencies and county governments.
In a strongly worded statement, the council backed Governor Sakaja and criticized Kenya Power for what they termed as “perennial disruptions” caused by abrupt power disconnections.
The governors urged KPLC to adopt a fair and transparent approach when handling disputes with counties, warning that such conflicts disrupt essential services relied upon by millions of Kenyans.
“It is time for Kenya Power to reflect on its actions, acknowledge the hardships caused by its practices, and commit to a more predictable and transparent billing and disconnection process,” the statement read.
The CoG further reminded Kenya Power to adhere to legal provisions such as Section 57 of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, which regulates land use and development matters.
Nairobi County Faces Backlash
Despite receiving strong support from fellow governors, Nairobi County continues to face widespread criticism and legal scrutiny over its handling of the standoff. The county leadership has particularly been called out for an incident earlier this week where garbage and waste were dumped outside KPLC’s headquarters, Stima Plaza.
Governor Sakaja has denied any involvement in the dumping, distancing himself from the act. However, the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), in a statement dated February 26, ordered the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to launch a probe into the matter.
The DPP termed the garbage dumping as illegal and a serious public health hazard, directing investigators to determine who was responsible for the incident.
As the battle between Nairobi County and Kenya Power escalates, all eyes remain on how the situation will unfold and whether both parties will reach an amicable resolution.
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