Nairobi, March 8 -- The High Court has dismissed a suit that sought to block Kenya Power from buying over 700,000 meters worth Sh5.4 billion, enabling thousands of homes to connect to power and aiding the utility firm to root out electricity thieves who use illegal connections.

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, had 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 ten...