Nairobi resident asks court to block Kenya Power from disconnecting vital county facilities
The legal action follows an ongoing dispute between Kenya Power and the Nairobi County government, which escalated when the utility company cut off electricity to several county offices.
A Nairobi resident has moved to court seeking to block Kenya Power from disconnecting electricity to essential services run by county governments, warning that such actions could disrupt critical operations and endanger lives.
The petitioner, Charles Rubia, argues that power disconnections to hospitals, water pumping stations, and streetlights would threaten public health and safety.
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He has urged the High Court to issue urgent orders restraining Kenya Power from cutting off electricity to county facilities across the country.
The legal action follows an ongoing dispute between Kenya Power and the Nairobi County government, which escalated when the utility company cut off electricity to several county offices on February 14, 2025, over unpaid bills.
Through lawyer Elkana Mogaka, Rubia argues that such actions undermine service delivery and could lead to a constitutional crisis in the management of utilities under devolution.
He wants the court to issue conservatory orders preventing Kenya Power from taking any further action against the Nairobi County government while the matter is under review.
In his petition, Rubia cites concerns raised by the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum regarding Kenya Power's handling of power disconnections.
The CS has reportedly questioned instances where the company's actions disrupted critical county functions and put lives at risk.
Rubia further states that when government entities fail to resolve financial disputes, Kenya Power is required by law to declare a dispute and refer the matter to intergovernmental bodies such as the Summit or the Council of Governors.
Instead, he accuses the company of resorting to what he calls "harsh" measures, including cutting off electricity to vital infrastructure.
The High Court has certified the case as urgent, meaning it will be heard on a priority basis.
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