Kenya Power has launched an operation called Ondokea Laini which involves the demolition of illegal structures developed on its wayleaves in Nairobi. The operation is being conducted with the support of the Multi-Sectoral Consultative Committee on Unsafe Structures “constituted by the government to minimise fatalities caused by collapsed buildings.”
“An electricity wayleave is a statutory right which gives the licence holder the power to install its electricity lines and associated equipment on, over or under private land, to keep the electricity line there and to have access to that land for the purposes of inspecting, maintaining, repairing or removing the electricity line or equipment.”
When launching the operation, Kenya Power’s Security Services Manager, Maj. Geoffrey Kigen (Rtd) said Kenya Power’s wayleaves have been encroached by squatters who have put up illegal structures under its power lines. As a result, this has compromised the company’s ability to successfully “transmit, distribute, and retail quality and reliable electricity” to its consumers across the country.
“The illegal and unsafe structures not only pose a danger to the squatters in the event of an electrical accident but also deny us the ability to maintain our power supply lines,” he added.
Operation Ondokea Laini is being carried out in collaboration with Nairobi City County Government, the National Building Inspectorate, the National Construction Authority, the National Environment Management Authority, the National Disaster Management Unit, Kenya Pipeline Corporation, Kenya Railway Corporation, Water Resource Authority, and the National Police Service.
The first stage of the operation took place in Embakasi through Mukuru slums to Enterprise Road, a stretch of about 8 kilometres. By the end of March 2018, the operation will have covered another 37 kilometres.
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