The Technology Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) has issued strong demands to the Nairobi County Government after an alleged destruction of critical ICT infrastructure within the city.
In a statement on Wednesday, TESPOK called for full accountability and compensation for affected service providers and customers.
The demands from TESPOK follow a public feud between the Kenya Power and Lighting Company and the Nairobi County Government which saw the latter retaliate with extreme measures including spewing garbage outside Stima Plaza - a building where the utility company resides.
"We (TESPOK) demand that the county government take full responsibility and compensate service providers and affected customers for the downtime caused," TESPOK said in their statement.
The association also called on authorities to bring those responsible for internet disruption to be brought to book, adding, "We call on the National Police Service to investigate and arrest those responsible for this criminal act."
While terming the county government’s actions as reckless and unlawful, TESPOK revealed there has been disconnection and destruction of critical ICT infrastructure installed along Argwings Kodhek Road in Nairobi.
"The actions of the Nairobi County Government violate the Kenya Information and Communications Act and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act and fly in the face of stakeholder efforts to achieve Kenya's digital agenda. Such must not be tolerated," their statement added.
TESPOK's statement piled pressure on the Nairobi County Government which has come under criticism for its retaliation against Kenya Power. Notably, the Communications Authority of Kenya also noted hours earlier that the feud had led to internet disruptions in certain parts of the city.
“The Authority is actively engaging Nairobi County and Kenya Power to establish the facts and ensure that any enforcement measures are orderly and comply with due process and national policy," CAK said on Monday.
In a bid to quell escalating tensions between the two government agencies, Governor Johnson Sakaja publicly addressed the issue for the first time during a press conference on Tuesday, February 26.
Sakaja was adamant it was within the Nairobi county government's jurisdiction to 'clamp buildings' in the event payments are not made by clients.
"In the same way KPLC cuts power when there is non-payment, the county government also has remedies provided by law. Some of these actions include withdrawing county services and clamping buildings," Sakaja said, adding that the two parties had reached an amicable way of addressing their issues.
