Nairobi County Government and Kenya Power have agreed to end their protracted dispute following a high-level meeting convened by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
The meeting, attended by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, aimed to resolve commercial disputes stemming from over Ksh. 4.9 billion in unpaid wayleave fees owed to the County by Kenya Power.
The conflict escalated on February 14, 2025, when Kenya Power disconnected electricity to several county facilities.
In retaliation, Nairobi County officials cut off water supply to Kenya Power’s offices and parked garbage trucks outside the premises to restrict access. This tit-for-tat exchange further strained relations between the two entities.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Governor Sakaja detailed the origins of the dispute. He revealed that while Kenya Power owed the county Ksh. 4.9 billion in wayleave fees, Nairobi County also had unpaid electricity bills owed to the power utility.
The governor emphasized that the standoff intensified after Kenya Power disconnected electricity despite an agreement reached in December 2024 to resolve the issues amicably.
“We had meetings as recently as December and agreed on how we’d resolve our issues, but when you disconnect us at will, then we’re also entitled to enforce,” Sakaja stated.
After hours of discussions at City Hall on Wednesday, both parties agreed to end the standoff. Sakaja announced that the county would restore water supply to Kenya Power’s offices and remove the garbage trucks. The governor also disclosed that the unpaid electricity bills and wayleave fees would be resolved separately between his office and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, with the possibility of involving the Intergovernmental Technical Relations Committee if necessary.
Sakaja reiterated the importance of adherence to development control regulations, stating, “All government institutions must adhere to development control regulations. KeNHA, before doing any road work, must seek approval from the county government.”
The resolution marks a significant step toward restoring cooperation between Nairobi County and Kenya Power, ensuring the uninterrupted provision of essential services to residents.
