The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations, television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in matters of national and international interest.

Standard Group Plc HQ Office,
The Standard Group Center,Mombasa Road.
P.O Box 30080-00100,Nairobi, Kenya.
Telephone number: 0203222111, 0719012111
Email: [email protected]

NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Nairobian

Nakuru police officers decry power outage over accumulated bills

Rift Valley

By Mercy Kahenda | Jun 24, 2020

Officers residing at Kasarani Police line in Nakuru are in the dark after Kenya Power disconnected electricity supply over the accumulated bills.

The station has a total of 54 blocks, where each has 6 housing units that hosts hundreds of police officers and their families.

The estate also has an armoury. This piles even more fears for officers who claim that darkness could pose risk to the safety of the arms.

According to an officer at the station who has spoken to Standard Digital on condition of anonymity, the power was disconnected Wednesday evening.

It is alleged that the bill has not been cleared since February last year, when the ministry of interior directed officers to rent houses outside police lines, in efforts aimed at implementing police reforms.

Keep Reading

"There are some individuals with an accumulated debt of Sh10,000 with some having Sh7,000," an officer has said.

Before disconnection, Kenya Power directed each police household to install tokens, for the supply of electricity, after clearance of the bill.

Each housing unit is expected to pay Sh4,350 to connect tokens.

According to a notice issued by Kenya Power, the police line is expected to pay a total of Sh630,000 but has only connected Sh335,000.

"Each officer will have his or her token number that they will use to pay electricity," said another officer.

The Standard Digital visited The police line and discovered, apart from three blocks hosting police inspectors.

An officer manning Kasarani Police Post located within the police line said he feared for the safety of armoury.

The officers were using mobile phone lights to man the armoury and record statements.

"Rate of crime within this area is high and with darkness, we risk having the guns stolen by criminals," said an officer.

A police officer manning Occurrence Book and the office was forced to use phones for lighting.

He added that there were fears of house break-ins due to disconnection.

"It is unfortunate that we might record more cases of theft. At times when we lock our houses, they are broken into and valuables were stolen. What if there is no power?" he posed.

Nakuru Town East Sub County Police commander Elena Kabukuru has said each officer is expected to clear their electricity bill.

However, she has said disconnection should not have been abrupt.

"There was an agreement to have officers connect token, but I am not aware if electricity has been disconnected if so, it is unfortunate," she has said in a phone interview.

Kenya Power Central Rift manager Geoffrey Muli has said the officers were connected to commercial line.

However, he maintained he was not aware of the disconnection and that he will get more details on Thursday.

"I will follow-up with billing and town power manager to know the reason to why the station has been disconnected to power," he said in a phone interview.