Nairobi residents are set to benefit from a major crackdown on illegal electricity connections as President William Ruto ordered immediate action to end unauthorised supply lines in the city, particularly in informal settlements.
Speaking at State House on Tuesday, the President said the current situation creates unfairness and leaves some communities in darkness.
“It is not right that some residents in some parts of Nairobi live in darkness,” Ruto said, underscoring the need for equitable access to electricity across all neighbourhoods.
He directed authorities to dismantle illegal connections and replace them with lawful installations, ensuring residents pay standard rates. “If there are illegal power connections, we should do away with them and conduct legal connections because illegal connectors are charging residents more than what the rest of Nairobians are paying,” he stated.
Ruto said legalising connections is key to protecting consumers and guaranteeing uniform electricity charges, a move aimed at ending exploitation by unscrupulous individuals.
In addition, the President took aim at Nairobi’s sanitation issues, describing the Nairobi River as a sewer and demanding swift action to restore environmental standards. He reminded citizens of pledges made during his campaign to clean up the city.
“During campaigns, we agreed with residents that Nairobi cannot continue to be a city of filth. Today, let’s be honest with ourselves, Nairobi River is a sewer running through the city,” he said.
He also highlighted the dire state of the city centre, asking, “The centre of the city is a sewer line, and it is supposed to be okay, how is it supposed to be okay?” The President insisted the conditions are unacceptable and require urgent remediation.
Ruto made these remarks during the signing of a major cooperation agreement designed to unlock billions of shillings for Nairobi’s urban development. The pact, grounded in Section 6 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, sets a clear framework for collaboration between the National Government and Nairobi City County.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi signed the agreement for the National Government, while Governor Johnson Sakaja represented Nairobi City County. Leaders described the pact as a critical step in formalising governance structures and fast-tracking urban renewal initiatives in the capital.
