Sakaja showed poor leadership in dispute with KPLC – CS Duale

The conflict escalated on Monday when the County Council dumped garbage outside Stima Plaza, the utility company's headquarters, in an apparent act of protest.

Speaking on Thursday, CS Duale expressed his disaffection over how the county handled the standoff, adding that dumping waste in a residential area was extremely uncouth.

He also blamed the police authorities for failing to execute their mandate, arguing that they ought to ensure law and order was observed in the feud.

"You can't use the environment to sort out your issues. I think the failure during the two days was the police. They could have towed those trucks, enforced the law, it is the mandate of the police," he told NTV.

"I spoke to the Governor and he showed poor leadership. It was not only KPLC, there were restaurants there, [and] neighbourhoods. But our part was enforcement as a regulator and I directed NEMA and they did restoration."

The warring parties agreed on Wednesday to end their long-running dispute following a high-level meeting convened by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

The meeting, which brought together Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi, sought to settle commercial disputes between the two entities, emanating from over Ksh.4.9 billion in unpaid wayleave fees owed to the County by Kenya Power.

Sakaja said that Kenya Power owed the county Ksh.4.9 billion in unpaid wayleave fees while at the same time, Nairobi County had unpaid electricity bills owed to the power entity. 

He detailed that both parties agreed to end their wrangles and resolve the situation amicably, adding that the county officials would restore the water supply and remove the trucks. 

Regarding the unpaid electricity bills and wayleave fees, the governor explained that the matter would be resolved separately between his office and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi. 

"We agreed those commercial disputes would be resolved between Wandayi and I. If need be, the Intergovernmental Technical Relations Committee will be involved," Sakaja stated. 

The dramatic incident has attracted ridicule from Kenyans and political leaders among them Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, opining that Governor Sakaja should have sought a more diplomatic solution by scheduling a meeting with KPLC's CEO and formally presenting the county's grievances.

The dispute dates back to 2007, when Kenya Power challenged NCCG’s legal authority to impose wayleave fees.

The controversy deepened in June 2023, when Kenya Power announced plans to introduce Special Utility Poles for internet services. 

The county then contended that Kenya Power is expanding commercial operations while refusing to pay its legally mandated wayleave fees, sparking dramatic action.