Nairobi — Tuesday's dramatic scuffle between Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai and a Kenya Power employee has stirred fresh debate over an emerging pattern of hostility against employees of the utility amid claims of impunity on the part of the utility firm.
Mbai, an ex-bodyguard, was on the spot for publicly branding his pistol and assaulting an employee of the utility firm which enjoys absolute monopoly in the country over a move to bring down a newly constructed power line in his Kitengela neighborhood financed by the lawmaker.
A now viral video capturing the incident showed the legislator engaging in a heated exchange with the Kenya Power employee before slapping him.
In the video, Mbai can be heard expressing his dissatisfaction with what he claims to be a tendency among Kenya Power staff to "demand bribes" from residents before providing them with services.
During the confrontation, the legislator firmly insisted that the Kenya Power officials restore the power line and supply it with a three-phase connection.
Mbai argued that actions of the Kenya Power staff were in violation of the President William Ruto's directing instructing the utility firm to adopt a facilitative policy as opposed frustrating electricity consumers.
"The President is on record saying when you (Kenya Power) find electricity already installed; no one is allowed to remove the poles. All you have to do is install a metre and charge accordingly. You are flouting President's instructions," the MP contended.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
MD approval
Expressing his frustration, Mbai stated that he would not tolerate any further harassment by Kenya Power towards residents, labeling their actions as "stupid."
"This is stupid by all standards. What happens to [ordinary] Kenyans if you can do this to me?" he posed.
The Kitui East legislator goes on to claim that he had received approval from the Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO to erect the poles in question.
Consequently, the legislator ordered the officials to connect the power supply, even going as far as threatening to deflate the tires of their vehicles.
The incident elicited mixed reactions and sparked a public debate regarding the proper procedures and accountability within the electricity service sector.
While some faulted the conduct of the MP, others defended the lawmakers response saying it reflected the frustrations Kenyans face in the hands of employees of the utility firm.
"The corruption and incompetence we are experiencing in KPL is worrying," retorted in response to sentiments expressed by Nairobi's Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai termed Mbai's conduct as disgraceful.
Police moved to arrest two aides of the MP following the incident even as they launched a probe to determine the legality of the connection.
Investigations will also seek to establish the involvement of Kenya Power officials in authorizing the construction of the power line.
