The Technology Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) has issued a sharp rebuke against the destruction of critical ICT infrastructure by Nairobi County Officials amid its spat with utility firm, Kenya Power.
- •The Industry representative has warned that the action could not only disrupt Kenya’s digital economy but also trigger service outages for businesses, hospitals, financial institutions, and households dependent on reliable internet connectivity.
- •The dispute between Kenya Power and the Nairobi County government is about a KSh 3 billion electricity bill that the county has not paid — which forced the utility company to switch off power in several county offices.
- •In retaliation, Governor Johnson Sakaja’s government oversaw the crackdown on fibre optic cables mounted on Kenya Power’s poles — especially along Argwings Kodhek Road — citing KSh 4.83 billion in unpaid way leave fees.
“This is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend where disputes between government bodies are causing unwarranted losses to legitimate business activities and disrupting the lives of Kenyans,” TESPOK said.
Kenya Power insists it does not owe the capital city a dime, citing a provision in law that provides that public bodies cannot charge way leave or any other levies on public energy infrastructure without the consent of the Cabinet Secretary. On Thursday, Council of Governors (CoG) chair Ahmed Abdullahi said that Kenya Power has been cutting power connections to critical county infrastructure despite itself owing the devolved governments billions in levies and rates.
TESPOK said that the contracts between Kenya Power and some ICT service providers to set up internet infrastructure protects ISPs from being unlawfully disconnected. The Association — which comprises ISPs such as Vijiji Connect Ltd, KeNIC TLD, and Vilcom Networks Limited — highlighted that the destruction of the infrastructure led to losses amounting to millions of shillings.
“We demand that the County Government take full responsibility for these actions and compensate service providers and affected customers for the downtime caused,” the association said.
Earlier, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) urged both parties to resolve their feud in a civil manner. Governor Sakaja admitted that the county government had disconnected water and sewer services at Stima Plaza but denied authorizing the dumping of garbage outside the building.
