By Grace Gilo
The Nairobi County government and Kenya power have decided to end their dispute amicably.
“I’d like to address the issue that has been happening between Nairobi County government and Kenya Power,” said Nairobi Governor Sakaja.
Addressing the press outside City Hall, the Governor said that in a meeting led by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, Opiyo Wandayi, head of Public Service, Kenya Power and Nairobi County Officials, resulted in an agreement on several matters, with a joint statement to follow.
According to the governor, the issue has been ongoing for many years where Kenya Power owed the county Ksh.4.9 billion in unpaid wayleave fees while Nairobi County had unpaid electricity bills owed to them.
This led to Kenya Power turning off electricity to several Nairobi county facilities on February 14, 2025.
“Now, the same way that when you don’t pay electricity Kenya Power disconnects you, the County Government has remedies,” explained Sakaja.
“Some of these actions include removal of county services and clamping of buildings,” he added.
The governor further highlighted that they had resolved all hostilities amicably.
“We have given instructions to restore water supply to Kenya Power premises and to remove the trucks blocking access,” he pointed out.
“It was unfortunate that one of the trucks tipped garbage, it was unintentional and that is why in 30 minutes, all that garbage was collected,” Sakaja clarified.
Additionally, the Nairobi County Governor reiterated that they agreed that commercial disputes would be solved between Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi and him and if need be, the intergovernmental technical relationship committee would be involved.
He added that the wrangles escalated after Kenya Power disconnected electricity despite a prior agreement made in December 2024.
“We had meetings as recently as December and agreed on how to resolve our issues but when you just disconnect us at will, then we’re also entitled to enforce,” Sakaja said.