Mombasa Governor calls on Senate to summon Kenya Power officials over wayleave fees

Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir has launched a heated battle against Kenya Power, accusing the state corporation of disregarding county governments’ revenue collection mandates.

Addressing the media on Thursday, Governor Nassir condemned Kenya Power for failing to remit wayleave fees for its use of county land and infrastructure while allegedly profiting from subletting these wayleaves to private firms.

The county boss thus called upon the Senate to take urgent action against Kenya Power, demanding that the corporation be held accountable for what he termed “financial exploitation” of county governments.

“It is unlawful and unconstitutional for Kenya Power to occupy and exploit county resources without compensating the people through their duly elected county governments,” Governor Nassir said.

“The Senate must summon Kenya Power to explain the billions in wayleave fees owed to county governments and immediately establish a framework for settlement. It must also audit the company’s revenue collection from wayleaves leased to private firms and ensure that all funds generated from county infrastructure are rightfully remitted,” he stated.

He further accused the power distributor of double standards, stating that while it refuses to pay counties, it actively collects substantial fees from private telecommunication companies for using the same wayleaves.

“This is the height of corporate impunity and must not be allowed to continue. While counties struggle to maintain roads, drainage systems, and public utilities, Kenya Power is enriching itself by charging private entities for access to public infrastructure,” he stated.

The Mombasa Governor warned that the corporation’s actions were undermining the principles of devolution by depriving counties of much-needed revenue for essential services such as waste management, road maintenance, street lighting, and security.

Governor Nassir’s statement follows similar concerns raised by the Council of Governors, accusing Kenya Power of a pattern of abrupt power disconnections that have affected county institutions.

The Governors further condemned Kenya Power for failing to pay wayleave fees amounting to billions.