NAIROBI, Kenya – Nairobi City County has launched a sweeping crackdown on unauthorized fibre optic cables installed on power poles along major roads, accusing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) of flouting regulations and failing to pay required fees.
The operation, which kicked off on Tuesday along Argwings Kodhek Road, targets internet cables installed without county approval.
Officials say ISPs have ignored repeated directives to obtain wayleave permits and pay necessary fees, prompting the county to take enforcement action.
“These fibre lines are illegal. We have given the ISPs ample time to comply, but they have refused. They have neither paid for wayleaves nor sought county approval,” said Nairobi County Revenue Chief Officer Tiras Njoroge.
Njoroge warned that ISPs must regularize their installations on county road reserves or risk further disconnections.
He also linked the issue to a growing financial dispute between the county and Kenya Power, accusing the electricity utility of facilitating non-compliant installations.
The crackdown comes amid a heated dispute over a KSh 4.8 billion debt that Nairobi County says Kenya Power owes.
County Secretary Godfrey Akumali dismissed claims that the county itself owes KSh 3 billion to the power utility, insisting that the debt dispute has become a barrier to enforcing regulations on fibre installations.
“Let it be very clear—KPLC owes us KSh 4.8 billion. They are making profits and announcing them publicly, yet they refuse to pay their dues,” Akumali stated.
Finance CEC Charles Kerich accused Kenya Power of profiting from county infrastructure without remitting any payments.
According to him, the utility company leases its power poles and transmission lines to ISPs, allowing them to mount fibre optic cables without paying wayleave fees to the county.
“KPLC now hosts optic cables and internet services. Those green and red cables on their poles? That’s internet. They are making money, yet they refuse to pay their debt. Who are we supposed to pay ours to?” Kerich said.
County officials argue that Kenya Power’s involvement has allowed ISPs to bypass regulatory approvals, depriving the county of much-needed revenue for service delivery.
The county has vowed to sustain the crackdown, warning that all unauthorized fibre optic installations will be removed unless ISPs comply with the regulations.
Officials have also indicated they will escalate pressure on Kenya Power to settle its debt.
