NEMA orders Nairobi County to clean up Stima Plaza mess

NEMA orders Nairobi County to clean up Stima Plaza mess

The battle over billions between Kenya Power and Nairobi County has taken a messy turn—literally. In a dramatic escalation of their financial standoff, heaps of garbage were dumped outside Kenya Power’s headquarters, Stima Plaza, in Ngara, sparking public outrage and intervention from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).

The feud between the two entities revolves around a Ksh 3 billion unpaid electricity bill claimed by Kenya Power and a counter-demand by the county for Ksh 4.8 billion in wayleave fees. As tensions reached a boiling point, county officials allegedly retaliated by allowing waste to pile up outside Stima Plaza, causing an unbearable stench that disrupted operations for two days. Employees and visitors struggled to access the facility, with some describing the situation as an “environmental hostage situation.”

NEMA swiftly stepped in, with Enforcement Director Dr. Ayub Macharia condemning the county’s actions as reckless and illegal. Visiting the site, he ordered the immediate removal of the waste and relocation of garbage trucks, warning that failure to comply would attract legal action.

“This kind of action endangers public health and is unacceptable. The county government must act immediately to clean up the mess or face legal repercussions,” Dr. Macharia declared.

With neither Kenya Power nor Nairobi County backing down from their financial standoff, the garbage dumping incident has highlighted the collateral damage of governance disputes. Residents and businesses in the capital remain caught in the crossfire, wondering what might be next in this high-stakes showdown.

For now, NEMA’s intervention might bring temporary relief, but the larger question remains—who will blink first in the billion-shilling battle between City Hall and the country’s power supplier?