An overdue power bill of $23.1 million (KES 3 billion) has caused Nairobi County officials to cut fibre optic connections from Kenya Power’s utility poles, affecting internet access for households, businesses, and schools.
The bill is acknowledged by the county administration, but they maintain that Kenya Power still owes them money for outstanding parking fees, wayleave fees, and land prices. Payment delays and a more antagonistic standoff have been caused by this counterclaim.
This week, things took a drastic turn in the debate. County officials scattered trash outside Kenya Power’s Ngara offices on Monday.
By Tuesday, they had blocked employees’ access to the company’s headquarters by pouring raw sewage inside. Later that afternoon, county employees damaged fibre optic cables on Kenya Power poles, causing many areas of Kilimani and the adjacent districts to lose internet connectivity.
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Communications Authority wade in
The Communications Authority (CA), which cautioned that ICT infrastructure falls under the purview of the national government, strongly criticised the action. An essential component of Kenya’s digital economy is its fibre optic networks.
In a statement, the CA stated that any interference must adhere to legal and regulatory standards.
Overdue electricity bill
According to Kenya Power, the electricity bill for Nairobi County is overdue and was reconciled in 2024. The county government was supposed to pay a portion of the amount in November 2024, but they didn’t.
“We have had a long-standing issue with Nairobi County with regards to payment of their bills. We offer a service, electricity, and once we offer the service, we bill and the client should pay,” said Rosemary Oduor, Kenya Power’s general manager of sales.
Kenya Power owes billions, Nairobi County counters
The county government, however, contends that Kenya Power owes billions in fees for land use, wayleave (right-of-way) charges, and vehicle parking.
According to officials, these unpaid balances surpass the power bill, making the dispute a matter of unresolved balances rather than simple non-payment.
A parliamentary report revealed that as of November 2024, Nairobi accounted for over two-thirds of the $33.7 million (KES 4.37 billion) owed to Kenya Power by county governments—nearly three times its debt from February 2024 ($10.4 million/KES 1.35 billion).
This underscores the urgency for a resolution, as Kenya Power has not indicated whether it will pursue legal action, but the Communications Authority’s intervention raises the possibility of regulatory repercussions for Nairobi County.
For the time being, the capital remains a battleground—where a financial dispute has escalated into disruptions impacting thousands.