The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has written to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) seeking action into the aftermath of the Kenya Power-Nairobi County Government stand-off.

In the letter dated February 26, Jacinta Nyamosi, the Deputy DPP directed the DCI to launch investigations to determine the genesis of the clash, 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."

Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja during a meeting on January 12 2025.

PSCU

In the letter, Nyamosi urged the DCI to submit a report within seven days detailing the inquiries made to uncover the genesis 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 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 barbaric 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.

During National Assembly proceedings on Wednesday, February 26, Members of Parliament (MPs), led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, condemned the act as criminal and called for Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to be summoned to explain the steps he will take to address the matter.

Ultimately, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula ordered that the IG be summoned next week to get to the bottom of the matter.

The ODPP's letter adds more troubles to Sakaja as Kenya Power and the Kenya Power Pension Fund have already filed a case under a certificate of urgency, arguing that the basic rights of their residents had been violated during the stand-off.

A garbage heap outside Kenya Power offices at Stima Plaza in Nairobi on February 24, 2025.

Photo

Screngrab/Citizen TV