'Stop playing victim' Governors tell Kenya Power

The Council of Governors has expressed its displeasure with the ongoing standoff between Kenya Power and Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) over unpaid bills, noting that the issue has persisted for over a decade.

In a statement, the council's chairperson, Ahmed Abdullahi, stated that the power-supplying company has continuously disrupted power connections for counties and other institutions for a long time.

“For over a decade, KPLC has wielded unchecked power over Counties and other entities, often resorting to abrupt power disconnections without due process or consideration/ regard of the broader impact,” said Abdullahi.

The council noted that Kenya Power has a history of disconnecting power to various institutions.

Nairobi county dumped garbage at Kenya Power headquarters, accusing them of failure to pay their water and sewerage bills.

Kenya Power accused the county of having accumulative bills adding up to Sh.3 billion.

Abdullahi has criticised the power firm for playing “victim,” listing incidences where Kenya power disrupted supply for different institutions.

“Despite all these, KPLC owes County Governments land rates in the form of contribution in lieu of rates (CILOR), wayleaves charges, huge water bills and other levies in the tune of Billions since the inception of Devolution,” Abdullahi added.

The governors have revealed that the standoff has just affirmed the kind of distress that the power company has been putting the institutions through.

Abdullahi has criticised the perennial power disruption and suggested a structured approach to solve such disputes.

“It is 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,” he added.

The council further raised concern over the allocation of Road Maintenance Levy Fund to the Counties.

Abdullahi clarified that the National Government has been assigned national trunk roads, whereas County Governments have been entrusted to manage County roads, noting that counties construct and maintain the bulk share of road networks.