By Joshua Narkash
Kenya Power has taken legal action against Nairobi County Government, accusing the county of dumping garbage at its Stima Plaza offices in a dispute over an unpaid electricity bill amounting to Ksh 2.9 million. The company moved to court seeking an order directing the county to remove the garbage, calling the action "barbaric" and "inhumane."
In court documents, Kenya Power claimed that the garbage, which was left at the entrance of its Stima Plaza offices, had not only caused significant health risks to its staff but had also exposed tenants and members of the public to detrimental health complications. The company’s petition argued that the actions of the county were unconstitutional and harmful, adding that over 4,000 staff members and tenants, including medical clinics, financial institutions, law firms, and insurance agencies, were directly impacted by the decision.
“The respondents' actions, which are both barbaric and inhumane, have adversely exposed over 4,000 petitioners, members of staff, and innocent tenants accommodated at the petitioner's premises, as well as the general public, to detrimental health complications,” Kenya Power stated in its application to the court.
In addition to the garbage issue, Kenya Power raised concerns over the county’s decision to disconnect water supply to its Stima Plaza offices. The company described the move as frustrating, leaving hundreds of its workers and tenants counting losses and facing increased operational difficulties.
However, Nairobi County's lawyer, Duncan Okatch, defended the county’s actions, stating that the garbage trucks had been removed from the premises by the night of Tuesday, February 25. Okatch also revealed that a meeting chaired by the Head of Public Service, Felix Kosgey, was underway to resolve the matter.
The court, presided over by Justice Anne Omolo, has scheduled a ruling on the matter for 3:00 PM, where further directions are expected to be issued.
The case has attracted significant attention as it highlights the growing tensions between Kenya Power and Nairobi County, with many questioning the legality and ethics of using public health as leverage in a commercial dispute. Both parties are awaiting the court's decision on how to resolve the ongoing standoff.
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