Garbage dumping row: Sakaja interdicts two county officials as probe begins

Two officers have been interdicted over an illegal garbage dumping incident near Stima Plaza, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has said, condemning the act as unacceptable.

Appearing before the Committee on Administration and Internal Security at County Hall on Monday, Sakaja revealed that the officers had ordered the dumping in retaliation over a financial dispute between Nairobi County and Kenya Power.

“Two officers have been interdicted over the illegal dumping of garbage because this is not what we stand for. On behalf of the staff, I apologize. Dumping garbage outside KPLC offices should never have happened and will never happen under my watch. Nairobi is a global hub. I deputise the Mayor of London on the C40 Steering Committee, and all the other mayors always tell me how they look up to Nairobi,” Sakaja said.

The governor identified the two officials as Acting Director of Revenue Administration, Dr John Ntoiti, and Director of the Debt Collection Unit, Sankale Lempaka. According to Sakaja, preliminary investigations indicated that Dr Nduiti directed the dumping as part of a revenue operation.

“In view of the foregoing, you are hereby interdicted from exercising the duties of the office, with effect from the date of this letter, pending the finalisation of this investigation. By a copy of this letter, the Director of Investigation and Information Analysis is required to expeditiously complete the investigation,” read part of the interdiction letter.

Sakaja emphasised that while operational staff like drivers followed orders, administrative action had to be taken against those who issued the illegal directives.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that law enforcement had launched criminal investigations into the matter immediately after the incident was reported.

“I was in Nigeria at the time, but we initiated investigations immediately after the illegal dumping was reported,” Kanja said.

Kanja also revealed that three individuals, identified as Augustine Otieno, Moses Gitari, and Alice Okare, were arrested and charged with sabotage, robbery with violence and illegal waste disposal.

“During the incident, two Kenya Power employees, Barbra Wacika Wachira and David Mauti Kiriago, were apprehended by Nairobi County enforcement officers but were later released without facing any charges under Nairobi County by-laws,” Kanja said.

He further noted that David Mauti Kiriago reported being robbed of Sh3,000 and a Seiko 5 wristwatch worth Sh15,000.

Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin added that Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) officials reported the incident at Parklands Police Station, prompting swift action.

“We launched investigations following the report at Parklands Police Station, and several people have been arrested for questioning,” Amin said, noting that illegal dumping was among the issues under probe.

“From our perspective, it was unfortunate that the garbage was dumped illegally. We will conduct thorough investigations and prosecute those responsible,” the DCI said.

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• Kenya Power
• Nairobi County Government
• City Hall
• Stima Plaza
• Garbage dumping row: Sakaja interdicts two county officials as probe begins
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The dispute between Nairobi County and Kenya Power stemmed from the utility company’s decision to disconnect electricity to several county facilities on February 14 over unpaid bills. In response, county officials cut the water supply to Kenya Power’s offices and parked garbage trucks outside Stima Plaza, blocking access.

To resolve the standoff, officials from Kenya Power, Nairobi County, the Energy Ministry, and the Head of Public Service held discussions at City Hall last Wednesday. Sakaja confirmed that both parties agreed to restore the water supply and remove the trucks.

Regarding Kenya Power’s pending Sh4.9 billion wayleave fees and Nairobi County’s outstanding electricity bills, Sakaja said the matter would be handled separately in discussions with Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.

“We agreed that commercial disputes will be handled between Wandayi and me, and if necessary, the Intergovernmental Technical Relations Committee will intervene,” he said.

Sakaja also criticised Kenya Power’s decision to cut electricity despite a prior agreement reached in December 2024.

“We had meetings and agreed on a way forward, but when you disconnect us at will, then we are also entitled to enforce,” he said.