Blowbacks are a common occurrence in conflicts. When two significant entities clash, one is likely to suffer, or in a worse scenario, an entirely unrelated group may be affected. Last week, there was a dispute between Nairobi County officials and Kenya Power that escalated into a messy confrontation involving sewage, garbage, and now, severed internet cables.
Kenya Power alleges that the county government owes them $23.1 million in unpaid electricity bills, while Nairobi officials argue that the utility company has been evading payment of wayleave fees for years. This disagreement led to county workers cutting fiber optic cables carrying internet services for numerous Kenyan households, businesses, and educational institutions.
The real victims in this conflict are not the conflicting parties but Kenya’s technology-driven economy and the individuals relying on stable internet services. The Technology Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK) has strongly criticized the county’s actions, highlighting the potential ripple effects on hospitals, financial establishments, and essential services. Kenyan internet service providers (ISPs) are already facing substantial financial losses due to this disruption.
Repairing the severed fiber optic cables will involve the affected ISPs retrieving and replacing the damaged cables. This process could incur significant expenses ranging from KES5,500 to KES11,000 per kilometer, a cost that TESPOK deems unnecessary.
TESPOK emphasizes that Kenya Power’s agreements with service providers should safeguard ISPs from unjustified disconnections, portraying the county government’s actions as reckless and costly. The organization is now demanding full accountability and compensation for the businesses and consumers impacted by the blackout.
With the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) urging for a resolution, it is evident that this dispute over unpaid bills has transcended beyond mere financial matters. Failure to reach a consensus between Nairobi’s authorities and Kenya Power could lead to further damage to the city’s digital infrastructure, with everyone else bearing the consequences.