Nairobi Internet Disrupted – How Can This Be Resolved?

On Fri, Feb 28, 2025, 9:00 AM Young Women Growing <
[email protected]> wrote:

> Good morning Listers.
>
> 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*
>>>
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