Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was on Wednesday, February 26, summoned by the State House Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei over the ongoing tussle between the Nairobi City County Government and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).
Koskei chaired a meeting on Wednesday morning attended by Governor Sakaja, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, and KPLC Managing Director Joseph Siror.
Also present at the meeting, which focused on the ongoing standoff between Nairobi County and KPLC over wayleave bills totaling Ksh4.8 billion, were ICT Principal Secretary John Tanui, key officials from the Nairobi City County government, and representatives from security agencies and IGRTC.
Following the meeting, Sakaja stated that the leaders had resolved to ensure the dispute was settled amicably, with all hostilities between both factions set to end.
“We’ve had a fruitful meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Energy led by CS Opiyo Wandayi, the Head of Public Service Kenya Power Limited and we had our officers and teams. We agreed on a number of issues. The first thing we have resolved is that all hostilities end, and issues be sorted out amicably,” he said.
“We have now given instructions to restore water supply to their (KPLC) premises and to remove the trucks that had been blocking access. It is unfortunate that one of the trucks tipped garbage. That was not the intention.”
National Assembly summons CS Wandayi
The meeting followed the standoff, which had caught the attention of the National Assembly Committee on Energy, prompting its intervention.
On Wednesday, the committee sought a response from CS Wandayi regarding efforts to resolve the ongoing dispute, which led Nairobi County to dump waste at the entrance of KPLC’s headquarters and disconnect the water supply to all its buildings.
The conflict arose from KPLC’s decision to cut electricity to Nairobi County offices over unpaid bills.
In retaliation, the county government quickly took drastic measures, including dumping garbage at KPLC’s headquarters, blocking the sewer line, and cutting off the water supply to its buildings.
Also Read: NEMA Issues Order to Sakaja Day After Garbage Dumped at Kenya Power Office
Committee members condemned the move by the County government as unprofessional and uncivilized.
Wandayi says he engaged Governor Sakaja
CS Wandayi, while responding to matters raised by members, informed the committee that he had engaged Governor Sakaja to prevent further escalation.
The CS also clarified that KPLC does not owe Nairobi County any outstanding water bills and dismissed claims of unpaid wayleave charges, stating that such fees are illegal under the Energy Act of 2019.
“I engaged with Governor Sakaja yesterday to stop the escalation of the matter and restore normalcy as we explore ways of resolving the matter amicably,” he said.
“No public body shall charge levies on public energy infrastructure without the consent of the Cabinet Secretary in writing. As we speak, there is no such consent.”
Also Read: Kenya Power Head Office Shut Down After Garbage was Dumped at Entrance
The Energy committee further 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.
NEMA order
Earlier on Tuesday, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) ordered the County to remove waste material dumped outside Stima Plaza which houses KPLC offices, arguing that the garbage trucks at the location are not registered.
The order follows a push and pull by Nairobi City and KPLC, where the latter has accused the County government of failing to clear its own outstanding electricity bill of Ksh3 billion.
On the other hand, the County claims that KPLC has an accrued Ksh4.8 billion in wayleave fees.
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