Senators and governors have turned the heat on Kenya Power, accusing the agency of operating with impunity and abusing its monopoly.
In a strongly worded statement, the Council of Governors said for a long time KPLC has wielded what it described as “unchecked power” over counties and even disconnected power to hospitals.
According to the county bosses, KPLC has not only hurt counties but also individuals and private businesses through abrupt power disconnections and nontransparent billing systems.
“KPLC has a well documented history of disconnecting power to critical county institutions, including hospitals, water installations and sewerage services, severely disrupting operations and endangering lives,” CoG chairman Ahmed Abdullahi said.
The governors spoke after an ugly dispute between KPLC and Nairobi government that saw county officials disconnect fibre optic cables on Kenya Power’s lines.
The criticism comes at a time when MPs have been pushing to have consumers allowed to buy electricity tokens directly from independent power producers, in a bid to end KPLC monopoly.
Some county officials also dumped garbage outside Stima Plaza, turning the spotlight on governor Johnson Sakaja.
The CoG regretted that while the feud had taken an unfortunate twist, the endless bullying by Kenya power while refusing to pay county governments must stop.
Kenya Power itself owes count governments in land rates, wayleave charges, water bills and other levies since the advent of devolution.
“The standoff that has been witnessed has merely exposed a fraction of the distress that countless Kenyans and institutions have endured for years due to abrupt disconnections,” the governors said.
The power utility continues to ignore an advisory from the Attorney General that they must be granted permission on any land use by the county government, the governors said.
The dispute between Kenya Power and Nairobi county became public on Monday after KPLC disconnected county offices.
However City Hall hit back, accusing the agency of refusing to pay Sh4.8 billion in wayleave fees.
KPLC leases its power poles and transmission lines to internet service providers, allowing them to run fiberoptic cables.
City Hall claims KPLC pockets the money without paying wayleave fees.
On Thursday, governor Abdullahi said it was regrettable that Kenya Power was swift to play victim when the tables turned.
“This selective application of authority raises serious concerns about fairness and accountability. We condemn these perennial disruptions and call for a structured approach to dispute resolution between KPLC and its consumers ensuring that essential services are never jeopardised in the future,” Abdullahi said.
“It’s time for KPLC to reflect on its actions, acknowledge the suffering caused by its practices and work towards a fair, transparent and predictable billing and disconnection process.”
The row spiralled further after a section of senators on Thursday came to Sakaja’s defense, who has borne the brunt of the mess.
Senators Karungo Thang’wa (Kiambu), Dan Maanzo (Makueni), John Methu (Nyandarua) and Mohamed Chute (Marsabit) accused Kenya Power of insensitive disconnection even to critical facilities like maternity hospitals.
They vowed to have Wandayi and KPLC managing director Joseph Siror to explain their decisions, which posed a health threat in county hospitals.
They termed the disconnections illegal and abuse of office.
“We shall summon the CS for Energy and KPLC MD to explain the disconnection of critical infrastructures,” Methu said.
The Senators criticised the power company over its confrontational approach towards county governments, accusing the utility of disregarding devolution and operating without accountability
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