Senate Standing Committee on Energy chaired by Siaya Senator Dr. Oburu Odinga held a meeting with Nairobi City County Governor Johnson Arthur Sakaja. 

 The agenda of the meeting was to deliberate on the dispute between the Nairobi City County Government and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) over electricity bill. 

Governor Sakaja said that Kenya Power had issued a bill to the Nairobi City County Government amounting to 3 billions Kenyan shillings. 

However, after physical verification of the electricity meters, it was established that the bill had dropped to Ksh. 1.5 billion which the Governor made a commitment to pay Ksh. 50 millions per month until the bill was completed settled. 

The Committee heard that after joint meter verification between Nairobi City Government and Kenya power, it was established that some meters were traced to Turkana, Kiambu and Machakos counties.

Governor Sakaja said, “Despite the county government commitment to pay electricity bill amounting to Ksh. 1.5 billion, electricity supplier Kenya Power had refused to pay Ksh. 5.6 billions emanating from wayleave fees.”

Vice Chairperson Sen. William Kisang inquired if the telecommunications companies pay the Nairobi City County government for distribution and laying of fiber optic cables.

The Governor explained to the committee that Kenya Power benefits commercially from telecommunications companies who pay the electricity company for the use of the Kenya Power distribution network yet the commercial benefits does not cascade to the Nairobi City County Government. 

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna implored the governor to explain to the committee the strategies put in place to cut the electricity bill from Ksh. 100 millions monthly. 

Governor Sakaja said that the county city government is putting up measures for harnessing of solar power in more than 80% of Nairobi City facilities and establishments. 

The Governor further said that the implementation of solar energy in county buildings and street lighting will save the county government Ksh. 80 millions per month. 

“We have got investors who are investing in Dandora waste management to produce energy which will supply Nairobi county and the surplus will be released to the national grid, the investor has committed 200 tippers for collection of garbage in the city.” Said Governor Sakaja.

Sen. Khalwale asked the governor if the pending electricity bill agreement between the county government and Kenya power was put on paper and signed by the respective government agencies. 

Governor Sakaja said that the agreement was not put on paper and that the agreement was a commitment and show of mutual respect and good faith from county government. 

Nairobi Senator said that for posterity and future reference, the agreement should be signed by Kenya Power and County City Government of Nairobi to avoid future conflicts. 

Senators present were Vice Chairman Kisang (Elgeyo Marakwet), Bonny Khwalwale (Kakamega), Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi), James Lomenen (Turkana), Danson Mungatana (Tana River), Veronica Maina (Nominated), and Beatrice Akinyi (Nominated)