Consumers and businesses that have been affected by disruption of critical internet services caused by yesterday’s removal of ICT infrastructure and fibre optic cables mounted on Kenya Power poles within Nairobi County are encouraged to contact their service providers for updates and support.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) in a statement last evening responding to Nairobi County’s disconnection of fibre optic infrastructure has called for restraint and respect of public interest even as they worked towards an amicable solution.
This follows a standoff between Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) and Nairobi County over unpaid electricity bills owed by the county to KPLC and vice versa.
According to Nairobi County management, KPLC owes the County approximately Sh4.8 billion in annual way leave fees even as it has acknowledged its own pending electricity bill to KPLC, which stands at approximately Sh113 million.
CA warned that any unlawful, unilateral action that undermines connectivity should cease forthwith.
The statement further stated that CA acknowledges the concerns raised by ICT stakeholders, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs), businesses, educational institutions and the public, following the disruption and as a regulator of ICT sector, their mandate is to oversee the deployment, licensing and protection of telecommunication infrastructure across Kenya.
“Under the Kenya Information and Communications Act (KICA), 1998, fibre optic networks are a cornerstone of the country’s digital economy, supporting connectivity, innovation and access to essential services. Any interference with this infrastructure must conform with established legal and regulatory frameworks,” the statement says.
CA noted that preliminary inquiries indicated that the actions of Nairobi County stemmed from a dispute over way leave fees and alleged non-compliance by Kenya Power regarding the use of public infrastructure.
“While the Authority respects the devolved functions of county governments, including their role in managing local land use, we strongly emphasize that ICT infrastructure falls under national oversight according to the Constitution and KICA,” the release further says.
“The Authority is actively engaging Nairobi County, Kenya Power and affected internet service providers (ISPs) to establish the facts and ensure that any enforcement measures are orderly and comply with due process and national policy,” the statement read in part.
“We urge county governments and public utilities to engage the Authority before initiating measures that impact on licensed telecommunications networks,” the statement said adding that the Authority remained steadfast in their mandate to safeguard the integrity of Kenya’s ICT ecosystem while also promising to provide further updates as the situation develops.
By Wangari Ndirangu
