NAIROBI, Kenya — Pressure is mounting on authorities to take action against those responsible for illegally dumping waste at Kenya Power’s Nairobi premises, a move linked to a dispute over pending bills between the electricity provider and Nairobi County.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Jacinta Nyamosi has directed the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the incident, citing serious public health and environmental concerns.
In a letter dated February 26, Nyamosi emphasized the gravity of the situation, warning that failure to address it could lead to far-reaching consequences beyond the affected area.
“Left unchecked, the issue may snowball into a serious health hazard that might have multiple repercussions not only for the immediate area but for the capital as a whole,” she stated.
Nyamosi instructed the DCI to work with relevant agencies in public health, environment, and water and sanitation to get to the root of the matter and submit a report within seven days.
The illegal waste dumping is the latest escalation in a standoff between Kenya Power and Nairobi County over unpaid dues.
The dispute, which dates back years, came to a head on February 14 when Kenya Power cut electricity to several county facilities over unpaid bills.
In retaliation, county officials shut off the water supply to Kenya Power offices and blocked access to its premises by stationing garbage trucks outside.
Following a high-level intervention by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Kenya Power and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja agreed to de-escalate tensions.
The county restored water supply, and the trucks were removed. However, the financial dispute remains unresolved.
At the heart of the conflict is a Sh4.9 billion debt: Kenya Power claims Nairobi County owes it for electricity bills, while the county insists the utility company must first settle Sh4.8 billion in wayleave fees.
Sakaja and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi have agreed to handle the matter separately, with a possibility of involving the Intergovernmental Technical Relations Committee if necessary.
Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has ordered Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to explain why no action has been taken against those who orchestrated the illegal waste dumping.
During a parliamentary session on Wednesday, MPs condemned the incident, with Wetangula calling it a dangerous precedent.
“We shall not allow this country to be reduced to a lawless state where disputes are settled through goons and hooliganism. That is not Kenya, and it must stop,” Wetangula said.
The Inspector General has been summoned to appear before Parliament next Thursday to account for the police response—or lack thereof—to what lawmakers have termed as “publicized criminal behavior.”
