Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has written to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) seeking action into the ongoing Kenya Power-Nairobi County Government stand-off.
Jacinta Nyamosi, the Deputy DPP directed the DCI to launch investigations into the drama, terming the dumping of garbage at the Stima Plaza as illegal and an imminent health hazard.
“The occurrence has caused apprehension among the public and is, therefore, a matter of legitimate public interest. Left unchecked the issue may snowball into a serious health hazard that might have multiple repercussions not only to the area of concern but the capital as a whole,” a section of the letter read.
“It is, therefore, prudent that investigations are commenced into the genesis of this matter for a viable solution to be achieved.”
Nyamosi urged the DCI to submit a report within seven days outlining the inquiries made to uncover the start of the clash that ended on Wednesday, February 26, just a few hours before the letter was sent.
She directed the directorate to liaise with relevant stakeholders from the public health, environment, and water and sanitation sectors to facilitate the investigation.
On Wednesday, the stand-off came to an end when the two institutions reached a truce after discussions attended by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.
According to Governor Sakaja, several agreements were met during the meeting including the cessation of all hostile retaliatory attempts.
“The first thing we have resolved is that all hostilities must end, and issues should be sorted amicably. We have given instructions for water to be supplied and for the trucks to be removed,” he said.
However, this truce did not prevent relevant authorities from raising concerns over the retaliatory attack, which saw garbage and sewage waste dumped outside Stima Plaza by Nairobi City County Government officials.
Reportedly, tensions escalated when Kenya Power switched off electricity to several Nairobi County government offices over an unpaid bill amounting to Ksh3.1 billion.
In response, the county government dumped waste at the company’s headquarters, citing unpaid bills of Ksh4.9 billion owed by the power company.
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