Nairobi, March 8 -- The High Court has dismissed a suit that sought to block Kenya Power from buying more than 700,000 meters worth Sh5.4 billion, unlocking connections and aiding the utility to tame illegal supplies.

Justice Jairus Ngaah ruled that Kenya Power cannot be faulted for restricting the tender to local manufacturers and assemblers in its quest to promote domestic entrepreneurs.

Niavana Agencies Limited, a local company, challenged the tender arguing that the restriction of the bidders to local meter manufacturers or assemblers excluded 'citizen contractors', a procurement lingo for individuals or firms fully owned or controlled by Kenyans.

The freeze of the tender, which was first advertised a year ago, hit more than a half...