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The High Court yesterday ordered Kenya Power to pay Sh13.5 million to a local company after loose power cables sparked fires destroying acres of pastures among other properties.
In his judgment Justice Lagat Korir ordered Kenya Power to compensate Lawina Company Ltd Sh13, 027,000 for the damages saying the power utility firm breached its statutory duties, which caused loss and damages.
“Declaration be and is hereby issued declaring that the Defendant breached its statutory duties under the provisions of the Energy Act which breach has caused loss and damage to the Plaintiff and the Defendant is therefore under a duty to compensate the Plaintiff,” Judge Korir declared.
The company told the court that on February 15, 2012, one of the electricity poles carrying high voltage lines along its property fell down and started a fire, which destroyed a portion of about 86 acres of Rhodes Grass together with fencing posts, droppers, chain links and barbed wire.
The company particularised the loss and damage resulting from the fire to Sh21.2 million.
According to the company, the destroyed pasture could have been harvested economically for three years being 2012, 2013 and 2014. It reported the two fire incidents to the local administration office and at Rongai Police Station.