The power company had disconnected power at City Hall Annex, Pumwani Hospital, Mama Lucy Hospital, primary and nursery schools under the county, county depots and street light pillars/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 13 – The High Court has ordered Kenya Power to restore electricity supply to city hospitals, schools and street lights immediately pending an interpates hearing due in two weeks.
Justice Isaac Lenaola certified Nairobi County’s case urgent accusing the power supply of disconnecting electricity on Wednesday over a Sh732million shilling debt.
The power company had disconnected power at City Hall Annex, Pumwani Hospital, Mama Lucy Hospital, primary and nursery schools under the county, county depots and street light pillars.
Court documents said the money was owed to the now-defunct City Council and the County believes it should be paid by the national government.
“The petitioner [county government] should not be penalised by the respondent [KPLC] for liabilities not transferred to the Nairobi government but are the responsibility of the national government,” it said.
It said if the courts don’t act swiftly and stop the disconnection, this will cause untold suffering to millions of residents who rely on the hospitals.
The County said disconnection may cause mayhem in the hospitals and lead to far-reaching consequences, which might cause deaths.
To safeguard its interests, the County said the High Court should protect the law and avoid total service disruption and disorganisation in the city to preserve the rights to health and life of millions.
The court was told if electricity connection to schools is disrupted, this will deny students their right to education, contrary to the provisions of the Constitution guaranteeing such rights.
KPLC’s planned action also threatens healthcare for the majority of city residents who rely on the two hospitals.
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