NAIROBI, Kenya — The ongoing tug-of-war between Kenya Power and Nairobi County over unpaid bills took an ugly turn when county officers allegedly orchestrated a garbage-dumping stunt at Stima Plaza.
Now, two senior officials have been interdicted, and three employees face serious charges—including sabotage and robbery with violence.
What started as a billing dispute quickly escalated into a chaotic standoff.
Governor Johnson Sakaja, appearing before the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security, revealed that two senior county officials—James Sankale (Acting Assistant Director, Debt Management) and John Ntoiti (Acting Director, Revenue Administration)—were behind the controversial act.
The drama began when Kenya Power switched off electricity to several county facilities due to unpaid bills.
“It was uncouth, primitive, it will not happen again,” Governor Sakaja apologises over garbage dumping at Stima Plaza
In response, county officials allegedly cut off water supply to Stima Plaza and later dumped garbage at the entrance.
The governor condemned the act, calling it “uncouth” and “primitive,” assuring that such incidents “will never happen under my watch.”
Billions in Unpaid Dues—and a Heated Showdown
At the core of this dispute lies a hefty Sh.4.9 billion in wayleave fees that Kenya Power allegedly owes Nairobi County.
Meanwhile, the county itself has outstanding electricity bills that prompted the power cuts.
While it may have looked like petty retaliation, Sakaja insists the county’s actions were meant to force Kenya Power to the negotiation table.
High-level intervention followed, with officials from Kenya Power, Nairobi County, the Energy Ministry, and the Head of Public Service meeting at City Hall to hammer out a resolution.
Wayleave fees—the charges Kenya Power must pay for running power lines through county land—became a central issue, with Nairobi County demanding settlement before discussing its own dues.
NAIROBI GOVERNOR Johnson Sakaja interdicts two officers for dumping garbage outside Stima Plaza; tells MPs investigations into the shameful show ongoing.
Arrests, Investigations, and Charges
Following the incident, Inspector General Douglas Kanja directed the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to launch a probe.
So far, three county employees—Augustine Otieno, Moses Gitari, and Alice Okare—have been arrested and charged with sabotage, robbery with violence, and illegal waste disposal.
On the flip side, two Kenya Power employees—Barbra Wacika Wachira and David Mauti Kiriago—were briefly detained by county enforcement officers but released without charges.
Two Nairobi County Officials suspended following the dumping of garbage outside Stima Plaza last Monday, Governor Johnson Sakaja tells MPS.
Kiriago later reported being robbed of Sh3,000 and a Seiko 5 wristwatch during the chaos.
With investigations ongoing and both parties claiming financial grievances, the dispute underscores the fragile relationship between government agencies.
