CoG slams KPLC over power cuts, calls out National Assembly on road fund row

The CoG expressed concern about what it termed KPLC's history of unexpected and unchecked power outages, which have severely disrupted critical county services. 

According to the CoG, over the last decade, KPLC has repeatedly cut power to critical public institutions such as hospitals, water installations, and sewerage services.

“KPLC’s continued disconnection of power to critical institutions has not only paralyzed operations but has also endangered lives. This practice is unacceptable and must stop immediately,” the statement read. 

The Council cited multiple instances illustrating the dire impact of these disconnections. 

According to the CoG, Kisumu District Hospital experienced a power outage in 2014, jeopardizing patient care, despite protests from the then-Director of Health, Dr. Ojwang. 

In March 2023, Mombasa General Hospital went several days without power, posing serious risks to patients. 

Homa Bay Town's water intake services were disrupted in 2023 when a KPLC disconnection left residents without water for several days.

Similarly, in September 2023, thousands of patients in Migori County facilities were left vulnerable due to power outages.

Aside from public institutions, the CoG stated that private individuals and businesses have also suffered from high bills and a lack of compensation for wayleaves. 

“Despite owing county governments billions in land rates, wayleaves charges, and water bills, KPLC has continued to disregard legal provisions and the principles of intergovernmental cooperation,” the statement added. 

The Council condemned KPLC’s continued disregard for legal provisions, including Section 57 of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act 2019, which mandates development permissions from county authorities.

The CoG called for a structured and collaborative approach to dispute resolution, urging KPLC to utilize existing intergovernmental mechanisms to settle debts and avoid jeopardizing essential services in the future.

In response to the National Assembly's remarks on RMLF allocation, the CoG described them as unpatriotic and disrespectful of the constitutional mandate that assigns road functions to both national and county governments. 

“It is disheartening to hear members of the National Assembly undermine the role of county governments in road maintenance, despite counties managing the bulk of Kenya’s road network,” the statement said. 

The CoG highlighted that county governments manage and maintain the majority of Kenya’s road network. 

According to a Kenya Roads Board survey from 2024, counties have developed and maintained 5,400 km of tarmacked roads and graveled over 76,000 km of roads, managing a total of 182,832 km of the country's 239,122 km road network.

The Council chastised the National Assembly for delaying the passage of the County Governments Additional Allocations Act 2024/25, denying Kenyans essential services. 

“We call upon the National Assembly to prioritize legislation that aligns with the Constitution and ensures equitable distribution of resources,” the statement urged. They also called for amendments to the Roads Act, 2007, to reflect the Cabinet’s resolution to merge the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).

The CoG urged all stakeholders, including the Senate, civil society groups, county governments, and the public, to hold the National Assembly accountable and ensure counties receive their fair share of the RMLF.