NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 25 – Business owners near Stima Plaza, which houses Kenya Power’s offices, are reeling from losses after Nairobi County Government workers dumped garbage at building entrances, partially crippling operations.
The standoff, now in its second day, has forced employees to work from home due to the unbearable stench and blocked access points.
Amos Ndung’u, General Manager of Investments at Kenya Power Pension Fund (KPPF), which owns Stima Plaza, said the situation is affecting tenants, including Co-op Bank, M-Pesa shops, restaurants, and a travel agency.
“The Co-op Bank branch is severely impacted. It cannot conduct cash-in-transit operations because the basement vault is inaccessible,” he said.
“For businesses, this is devastating. How will they pay rent if they can’t even operate?”
Judy Kibe, owner of Kongonis Steakhouse Lounge, reported a 95% drop in revenue, with sales plunging from the usual Sh40,000–50,000 to just Sh10,000 on the first day and even lower on the second.
“As a restaurant, we rely on walk-ins, but the stench and blocked entrances have driven customers away. Lunchtime is usually busy, but today, we have none,” she said.
At Tender Touch Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centre, Dr. Daniel Nyamongo noted that the environment was unsuitable for patients, further disrupting services.
Ndung’u urged the two sides to resolve their dispute, clarifying that KPLC is only a tenant at Stima Plaza, which is owned by Kenya Power Pension Fund trustees.
“City Hall is not fighting Kenya Power and Lighting Company but the pension fund trustees. We are a trust, not a listed company like KPLC. While we want our sponsor to resolve its issues, we are suffering collateral damage in a fight we are not involved in,” he explained.
The dispute stems from a standoff between KPLC and the Nairobi County Government, which KPLC claims led to the garbage dumping in retaliation for power disconnections at City Hall over Sh3 billion in unpaid electricity bills.
However, Nairobi County refutes the Sh3 billion claim, instead accusing KPLC of using the garbage crisis to divert attention from its alleged failure to pay Sh4.8 billion in wayleave fees.
