The puzzle of stima Plaza: Two county staff interdicted and three arrested as Sakaja acts
By Paul Odwori
It has been confirmed that two Nairobi County Government officers have been interdicted, while three were arrested for directing garbage dumping at Stima Plaza, the headquarters of Kenya Power.
On Monday, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja appeared before the Departmental Committee on Administration and National Security and revealed that Acting Assistant Director, Debt Management James Sankale and Acting Director of Revenue Administration John Ntoiti were responsible for the disorder that has created a lot of tension between the County Government of Nairobi and Kenya power.
Governor Sakaja, however, told the Committee that his office took decisive action, and the dumped waste at the entrance of the Stima Plaza was cleared within one hour later, the Stimaplaza offices were fumigated to avert more risks to staff who work in the Kenya power offices.
“It is a very unfortunate situation that has us here. The dumping incident was completely uncouth, wrong and it is not something that civilized Governments do,” Governor Sakaja stated.
“The dumping was very primitive. On behalf of the staff, I sincerely apologize to the people of Kenya. It will never happen under my watch again.”
The Governor pointed out that they had struck common ground with Kenya Power over the issue and ended the longstanding dispute despite Kenya Power owing the Nairobi county Ksh.4.9billion in unpaid wayleave fees while, on the other hand, the County owes Kenya Power unpaid electricity bills.
This unfolded when Kenya Power switched off electricity to several county facilities last month, a move that was met with swift retaliation after county officials cut off the water supply to Stima Plaza. Further, county garbage trucks were parked outsideStima Plaza to prevent access and garbage dumped at StimaPlaza entrance.
The dispute led to uproar from Kenyans and got the attention of the National Government, where an emergency meeting was convened to iron out the issues of concern, officials from Kenya Power, Nairobi County, the Energy Ministry, and the Head of Public Service met in City Hall to resolve the standoff.
“We didn’t go to KPLC in retaliation because of the bills we owe them; we went there because of wayleaves they owe us,” he noted.
“On Friday, we clamped down the services for them to come and say how they will pay us.”
Further, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja explained that he had directed the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to probe the matter following the melee.
He noted that three employees, namely Augustine Otieno, Moses Gitari and Alice Okare were arrested and charged with sabotage, robbery with violence and illegal waste disposal.
“During the incident, two KPLC staff members, Barbra Wacika Wachira and David Mauti Kiriago, were arrested by the Nairobi County enforcement officers and later released without being preferred for any charges under Nairobi County by-laws,” Kanjasaid.
A number of leaders who were unhappy with the incident weighed in their opinion other the altercation, led by the majority leader in the national assembly of Kenya, Hon. Kimani Ichungwah, harshly condemned the incident and called for the arrest of the Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
“What we have seen at Stima Plaza is a criminal act, where are the police who ensure that there is law and order in the country? They should start with the drivers who dumped the garbage, those who instructed them, including the Governor,” Ichungwah reiterated
The speaker of the National assembly, Hon. Moses Msika Wetangula, was also not amused with the incident and asked the county Government of Nairobi to find the best way on how to sort the issue of pending bills instead of using unlawful ways.
Former Nairobi County boss, hon. Mike Mbuvi Sonko also condemned the incident saying that the issues of pending bills between the County of Nairobi and Kenya Power has always been there but he used to handle it in a professional way. He accused Governor Sakaja for not showing the leadership that is required at the County.
“What you’ve done, Governor Sakaja is so childish. Those issues have always been there, but as a County boss, whenever there is an issue with bills, you can always have a boardroom meeting with the Ceo of Kenya Power and privately find an amicable solution, you don’t expose yourself childishly by dumping wastes, Mike Sonko warned”
The Kenyan community on the other hand has been enjoying the drama as it has been unfolding some faulting the county Government of Nairobi for being notorious to mishandle issues. Some saying the County Askaris have always been very arrogant and sometimes they resort to violence when handling matters with Nairobi residents especially the hawkers.
The car owners also raised their voice on how the county officers deliberately clamp theirs cars at the parking and later demand for bribes even when the parking fees have been paid.
The Kenya power was also not spared by Kenyans, who claimed the County did justice by dumping the waste at the Kenya Power gate since the Kenya power officers mercilessly have been disconnecting power from their homes and it should serve them right that what goes around comes back around.
Meanwhile, sober Kenyans had a feeling that if issues affecting Kenyans were taken serious the way this issue has been handled and discussed, then Kenya would be the desired Canaan.
“How I wish, the way this act is being condemned should be used too to those who are demolishing settlements and houses. On that, they keep quiet because it’s not a parastatal to gvt. When people’s houses are being destroyed even with the individuals inside, every arm keeps quiet, Joel Inspirations said”
On how this matter is going to be resolved, it’s a wait-and-see.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja finally apologizes for dumping garbage at Stima Plaza after a dispute over power disconnection linked to a Sh3 billion electricity bill owed by City Hall to Kenya Power.
The governor spoke on Sunday during a church service where President William Ruto was Present.