Sakaja Removes Internet Cables On Power Poles As Row With Kenya Power Intensifies
The operation, which began on Tuesday morning along Argwings Kodhek Road, is geared at disconnecting internet cables installed without official county approval, according to City Hall.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The Nairobi City County government led by Governor Johnson Sakaja has launched a crackdown on unauthorized fibre optic cables mounted on power poles along major highways, amidst escalating tensions with Kenya Power over pending bills worth billions of shillings.
The operation, which began on Tuesday morning along Argwings Kodhek Road, is geared at disconnecting internet cables installed without official county approval, according to City Hall.
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.
“These fibre lines are illegal. We have given the ISPs ample time to pay for hosting them on these poles, but they have refused. They have neither paid for wayleaves nor sought county approval,” Njoroge said.
A county government official disconnecting fibre optic cables mounted on power lines. /CAPITAL GROUP
“We need revenue to operate and deliver services [and] have engaged Kenya Power (KPLC) over the Ksh4.8 billion debt they owe us, but they have refused to pay. We will take all necessary measures to push them to settle their dues.”
Njoroge criticized Kenya Power (KPLC) for allowing non-compliant companies to install fibre optic cables on power lines without obtaining county business permits, wayleave approvals, or authorization from the Communications Authority. “It is unfortunate that KPLC is helping these companies evade regulations while denying the county its rightful revenue,” he added.
The crackdown follows a statement by County Secretary Godfrey Akumali, who accused Kenya Power (KPLC) of failing to settle its debt, while also refuting claims that the Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) owes the utility Ksh3 billion. “Let it be very clear—KPLC owes us Ksh4.8 billion. They are making profits and announcing them publicly, yet they refuse to pay their dues,” Akumali stated.
Meanwhile, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) ordered the Nairobi County government to remove the garbage dumped at Kenya Power’s offices in Nairobi as the standoff peaked with the bizarre dumping of waste at Stima Plaza.
“We hereby demand that you (Nairobi City County) remove your garbage from this site (Kenya Power offices). This is not a waste disposal site. We do not want the garbage there,” noted an NEMA official.
“The smell, you know, does not respect boundaries. There are residential houses, eateries, some hotels, and business premises that are affected. Although we heard there was a conflict, we are ending up with a situation where other parties unrelated to the conflict are affected."
In addition to removing the garbage, NEMA directed the county government to cover its garbage trucks, stating that open trucks were a significant contributor to environmental pollution.
“When you look at that waste, it is not carried properly because those vehicles are not covered. Even when they are moving on our streets, the waste will be blown by the wind and will spill onto our streets. So that is also an order—that the waste should be moved properly,” NEMA asserted.
