The standoff between the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) and Kenya Power (KPLC) has been resolved following a high-level meeting convened by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
The meeting, which brought together Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi, sought to settle long-standing commercial disputes between the two entities.
Speaking at a press conference at City Hall on Wednesday, February 26, Governor Sakaja confirmed that the county government and Kenya Power had agreed to verify outstanding claims and resolve them amicably.
“There is a wayleave stalemate amounting to KSh4.8 billion that City Hall wants addressed. We have agreed to take it up with Waziri [CS Wandayi] and find an amicable solution,” Sakaja stated.
The Governor reiterated the county’s mandate to collect fees and charges necessary to fund essential services.
“The people of Nairobi want their roads fixed, garbage collected, and medicine in hospitals. These services require resources, and we are keen to ensure this issue is addressed,” he added.
The dispute had escalated in recent weeks, with the county government blocking access to Kenya Power premises and disconnecting water supply. Tensions peaked when a garbage truck dumped waste near KPLC offices, an incident Governor Sakaja described as “unfortunate” and not reflective of the county’s operational standards.
“The waste was cleared within 30 minutes, and internal measures have been put in place to prevent such occurrences in the future,” he assured.
Following the meeting, both parties agreed to restore normalcy immediately. The county government committed to reinstating water supply and removing access blockades at Kenya Power premises.
To prevent future conflicts, the parties agreed to resolve all commercial disputes through direct negotiations between the governor and the Energy CS.
A key resolution also addressed development control, a contentious issue in the dispute. The county government reaffirmed its authority over all development control within its jurisdiction, including power lines and electricity transmission, as per the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (PLUPA) 2019. Both sides agreed to adhere to development control regulations to ensure future projects align with county approvals.
Governor Sakaja commended Kenya Power for its recent cooperation in seeking county approvals before initiating projects. He expressed hope that this would set a precedent for other government agencies.
The resolutions align with a broader directive from President William Ruto, emphasizing that all government institutions must comply with development control regulations.
A joint statement outlining the agreed-upon resolutions is expected to be released soon. Both parties have pledged to maintain a collaborative approach to avoid future disputes and ensure uninterrupted services for Nairobi residents.
