The Sudden Cutoff in Mlolongo

Residents of Mlolongo, Machakos County woke up to an unsettling reality when Kenya Power officials removed Wi-Fi cables strung along power poles. For many families, cybercafés, and small businesses, the move cut off internet access without warning. While Kenya Power has not issued a detailed explanation, the incident has already triggered backlash, with locals accusing the utility of disrupting livelihoods in the name of enforcement.

Not the First Time Cables Have Been Targeted

This clash is not unique to Mlolongo. Nairobi and Kiambu counties have in recent months carried out mass disconnections of unauthorized fiber cables, citing safety concerns and illegal use of infrastructure. In 2022, internet service providers (ISPs) clashed with county authorities over claims of unpaid wayleave fees. Kenya Power itself has previously accused small ISPs of "piggybacking" on its poles without following legal procedures.

The pattern is clear: every few months, a wave of disconnections sweeps through Kenyan towns, leaving users stranded and ISPs crying foul.

Why Kenya Power Is Cracking Down

Several factors may have pushed Kenya Power into action:

• Unauthorized installations: Smaller ISPs often run cables without formal agreements.
• Safety hazards: Exposed or tangled lines near power cables pose fire and electrocution risks.
• Revenue disputes: Kenya Power insists ISPs must pay wayleave fees to legally use its poles.
• Regulatory pressure: Authorities have been tightening rules on infrastructure sharing and compliance.

To the utility, the move is about order, safety, and protecting revenue. To residents, it feels like an assault on access to an essential service.

The Human Impact in Mlolongo

The human cost of the crackdown has been immediate. Cybercafés have gone offline, students preparing for exams are scrambling for alternatives, and small traders who rely on digital platforms now face losses. For residents, internet access is not a luxury but a lifeline. With no clear timeline for restoration or explanation of alternatives, frustration is growing.

A Battle for Digital Infrastructure Control

The Mlolongo incident is a snapshot of a bigger war over who controls Kenya’s digital backbone. Kenya Power holds the physical poles and wayleaves, while ISPs provide the internet lifeline. Counties demand revenue through permits, while regulators call for safety and order. In this tug of war, ordinary citizens remain at the mercy of decisions made behind closed doors.

What Happens Next?

Without a clear framework for infrastructure sharing, more crackdowns are inevitable. If Kenya Power and ISPs cannot find common ground, digital access in towns like Mlolongo will remain unstable. The irony is that while the government champions a digital economy, residents are still forced to navigate battles over cables and poles.

The Real Cost of Unresolved Battles

The Mlolongo case is not about cables alone. It is about the future of Kenya’s connectivity and whether ordinary citizens will continue to be pawns in a corporate and regulatory struggle. Until a balance is struck, every household and small business remains vulnerable to the next wave of disconnections.