Nairobi Internet Disrupted – How Can This Be Resolved?

Our take on this.

The ensuing Fiasco takes me back in time to the heights of the GenZ
uprising. There were significant internet interruptions during the entire
period where slum areas and neighbourhoods were listed as ‘opposition
constituencies’. This was done by switching off the Power during work hours
for long periods of time. Without power sources there was no internet
connectivity through use of routers. Digital Citizens bounced back to using
MSPS data packages. This could have led to data breaches. This was how the
Live X spaces faded with time.

The friction between these players and now Nairobi County in the picture
gives room to assess how key players and stakeholders are inhibiting Access
to Information and social amenities which are a primary need for
sustainability.
I could share more on how Access to the Internet and Information has
significantly brought down insecurity in our neighborhoods.

We are following Keenly.

Have a great day.

Best Wishes
YWGI-Ke.

On Thu, Feb 27, 2025 at 12:56 PM amos ojiambo via KICTANet <
[email protected]> wrote:

> Thanks for sharing!
>
> On Thu, Feb 27, 2025, 8:48 AM Grace Githaiga via KICTANet <
> [email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Alexander
>> Indeje summarized some insights and great ideas from the active
>> engagement on this list yesterday. You can read more below.
>>
>> Nairobi’s infrastructure crisis: A clash between city officials and Kenya
>> Power exposed governance failures, digital disruption, and the urgent need
>> for legal accountability and systemic reform to protect critical
>> infrastructure.
>>
>> www.kictanet.or.ke/critical-infrastructure-under-siege-nairobis-governance-failure/
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ———————————————————————————-
>>
>> *Grace Githaiga*
>>
>> Twitter: @ggithaiga
>>
>> Skype: gracegithaiga
>>
>> Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gracegithaiga
>>
>>
>> .*.**.the most important office in a democracy is the citizen. So, you
>> see, that’s what our democracy demands. It needs you!—-Barrack Obama.*
>> ——————————
>> *From:* ALEXANDER NZIOKA via KICTANet <[email protected]>
>> *Sent:* 26 February 2025 11:41 PM
>> *To:* Grace Githaiga <[email protected]>
>> *Cc:* ALEXANDER NZIOKA <[email protected]>
>> *Subject:* [kictanet] Re: Nairobi Internet Disrupted – How Can This Be
>> Resolved?
>>
>>
>> Dear Listers,
>>
>> This situation raises an important question: if the government itself
>> buys electricity from Kenya Power and distributes it through token bills,
>> shouldn’t there be a more structured way to handle disputes rather than
>> actions that disrupt essential services?
>>
>> While both Nairobi County and Kenya Power have valid claims, cutting
>> fiber optic cables as leverage only harms businesses, schools, and
>> households relying on stable internet access. Instead of escalating the
>> standoff, a structured mediation process or regulatory intervention would
>> be more effective.
>>
>> Moreover, this incident highlights a bigger concern—how secure is our
>> critical infrastructure if disputes can lead to such drastic actions? It’s
>> a wake-up call for stronger governance in managing public utilities and ICT
>> infrastructure.
>>
>> Would love to hear your thoughts on possible solutions.
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Alexander N. Kathanzu
>>
>> On Wed, 26 Feb 2025 at 07:17, David Indeje via KICTANet <
>> [email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Listers,
>>
>> A critical situation unfolding in Nairobi that’s causing widespread
>> disruption: the ongoing dispute between Nairobi County and Kenya Power.
>>
>> As you may have heard/ read, Nairobi County officials have taken the
>> drastic step of cutting fiber optic cables from Kenya Power’s utility
>> poles. This action has resulted in significant internet service disruptions
>> affecting businesses, schools, and homes across the capital.
>>
>> The core of the issue stems from an unpaid electricity bill of
>> approximately $23.1 million (KES 3 billion) owed by Nairobi County to Kenya
>> Power. However, the county government argues that Kenya Power owes them an
>> even larger sum in unpaid land rates, wayleave fees, and parking charges.
>> This counter-claim has escalated tensions and led to a hostile standoff.
>>
>> The Communications Authority (CA) has condemned these actions,
>> emphasising that ICT infrastructure falls under national government
>> jurisdiction. As the CA stated, “Fibre optic networks are a cornerstone of
>> Kenya’s digital economy. Any interference must follow legal and regulatory
>> frameworks.”
>>
>> This situation is clearly unsustainable and is severely impacting the
>> digital economy and daily lives of Nairobi residents.
>>
>> *We are eager to hear your thoughts on how this dispute can be resolved.*
>>
>>
>> —
>> *Kind Regards,*
>>
>> *David Indeje*
>>
>> *@**KICTANet* <www.kictanet.or.ke/>
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