Trouble looms for Sakaja as DPP orders DCI to probe dumping of waste at Stima Plaza

The Director of Public Prosecution Renson Igonga has ordered for launch of probe into the illegal dumping of waste and disruption of sewer and water supply by the Nairobi City County Government to Stima Plaza and all Kenya Power offices in Nairobi.

In a letter to DCI Director Mohammed Amin, Deputy DPP Jacinta Nyamosi said the incident, which sparked uproar and wide media coverage, has legitimate public interest as it has caused apprehension among members of the public.

Nyamosi stated that if 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.

“It is prudent that investigations are commenced into the genesis of this matter for a viable solution to be achieved. The issue may snowball into a serious health hazard that might have multiple repercussions,” she said.

Nyamosi told the DCI to liaise with all relevant stakeholders in public health, environment, and water and sanitation regarding the  matter and submit the resultant inquiry file within seven days of receiving the letter.

The order by the DPP comes a day after the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula directed the Administration & Internal Security Committee Chairperson Gabriel Koshal Tongoyo to summon the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to shed light on the dumping of garbage by the Johson Sakaja-led administration outside Stima Plaza.

The legislators condemned the act as they faulted the police boss for remaining numb on the matter.

“We shall not allow this country to be reduced to a state of wild, wasteful behavior where you disagree with someone, and you send goons and hooligans to sort out your mess. That is not Kenya, and it must stop. I therefore direct the Inspector General to establish why no action has been taken against this publicly known criminal behavior by the Nairobi City County Government,” Wetang’ula directed.

“We are going to summon the Inspector General to appear before the committee next week. There are clear criminal offenses committed not just under the nuisance law, but also under environmental law, the Health Act, the Penal Code, and several other Acts of Parliament. You can identify up to ten criminal violations arising from that single act,” he added.

Yesterday, the garbage trucks and the trash were removed after the county team led by Sakaja, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, and the Kenya Power team were called to a crisis meeting by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei to resolve their debt payment dispute, which saw City Hall dump garbage and disrupt other services at Stima Plaza in Ngara and Electricity House in the city centre.

Even though details of the meeting have not been shared, Koskei indicated that a way forward had been adopted and that services would be restored.

“I convened a consultative meeting between the Ministry of Energy and the Nairobi City County where a clear way forward was adopted and normalcy restored following the recent service disruptions,” he stated.

The actions by the county administration were met by criticism from the public, leaders, the Communications Authority of Kenya, and the National Environment Authority (NEMA).

On Monday this week, a standoff was witnessed at the Stima Plaza after Nairobi City County staff dumped garbage at their entrance in protest to the power cut at the County Executive headquarters over Ksh 3.1 billion unpaid power bills.

Kenya Power’s General Manager for Commercial Services and Sales, Rosemary Oduor, stated that the power disconnection was due to City Hall’s arrears but was restored after negotiations last week Friday.

She said they were shocked to see a county garbage truck dump garbage at their premises and county government officers block a sewer line, resulting in waste spilling into its premises in the city.