Communications Authority Slams Sakaja Govt For Causing Internet Disruption In Nairobi

The government through the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has accused the Nairobi County government of acting beyond its mandate by cracking down on unauthorized fibre optic cables mounted on power poles along major highways.

CA in a statement released on Tuesday, February 25 acknowledged the concerns raised by ICT stakeholders, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs), businesses, educational institutions and the public, following the disruption of critical Internet services caused by the removal of ICT Infrastructure - fibreoptic cables, mounted on Kenya Power poles within Nairobi County.

As the regulator of the ICT sector under the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA), 1998, CA affirmed that is mandated to oversee the deployment, licensing and protection of telecommunications infrastructure across Kenya.

"Fibre optic networks are a cornerstone of the country's digital economy, supporting connectivity, innovation and access to essential services. Any interference with this infrastructure must conform with established legal and regulatory frameworks," the authority argued.

"Preliminary inquiries indicate that the actions of Nairobi County stem from a dispute over wayleave fees and alleged non-compliance by Kenya Power regarding the use of public infrastructure."

CA added that the county government led by Governor Johnson Sakaja was acting out of turn by disconnecting internet cables installed without official county approval, a move that caused widespread panic among Nairobi residents who use the internet to conduct their daily businesses.

"While the Authority respects the devolved functions of county governments, including their role in managing local land use, we strongly emphasize that ICT infrastructure falls under national oversight according to the Constitution and KICA," added the statement.

Nonetheless, CA stated that it is actively engaging Nairobi County, Kenya Power and affected ISPs to establish the facts and ensure that any enforcement measures are orderly and comply with due process and national policy.

"We urge all parties to exercise restraint, observe and respect public interest as they work towards an amicable solution. Any unlawful, unilateral action that undermines connectivity should cease forthwith," urged CA.

"We urge county governments and public utilities to engage the Authority before initiating measures that impact licensed telecommunications networks," the authority advised the irrational county government while encouraging consumers and businesses affected by this disruption to contact their service providers for updates and support.

CA concluded by stating that it remains steadfast in its mandate to safeguard the integrity of Kenya's ICT ecosystem and will provide further updates as the situation develops.

During the exercise, Nairobi County Revenue Chief Officer Tiras Njoroge stated that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) had failed to comply with regulations requiring them to pay for wayleaves and obtain official authorization before installing cables.