Kenya Power cracks down on vandalism, illegal connections

Two men were on Wednesday arraigned in court and remanded at Kodiaga Prisons after they failed to raise a Ksh1 million bond for vandalism of Kenya Power equipment.

Onesmus Kiptoo Ngetich and Isaac Kipkorir Maiyo were reportedly nabbed at Ngata Bridge in Nakuru on Tuesday while in possession of assorted items including hacksaws, spanners, and transformer oil-soaked clothes.

They are allegedly part of a gang that has been operating between Nakuru and Kisumu, which is responsible for the vandalism of nine transformers this year.

A week ago, two other alleged members of the gang; Joel Kipkosgei Koech alias Bulbul and Henry Maiyo, were arrested during a joint anti-vandalism operation carried out by Kenya Power’s security teams. The four suspects will be prosecuted in a joint case.

Elsewhere, Emmanuel Kibet Kirui, a resident of Jagoror area of Londiani in Kericho County, was arrested for consuming electricity at his sawmills without a meter.

In Thika, Martin Thuita Mwangi, an electrician, was arrested by security officers for reconnecting a customer who had been disconnected over a debt.

The suspect is believed to be one of the three people who have been illegally disconnecting and reconnecting customers in the area.

“The company has intensified crackdowns on vandalism and illegal power connections across the country. We urge members of the public to cease any engagements with unauthorized people and restrict themselves to Kenya Power offices for all transactions regarding application and payment for the supply of electricity,” said Kenya Power’s Manager for Security Services Major Geoffrey Kigen (Rtd).

The incidents come just a month after a Kenya Power staff was charged in court for constructing an illegal line and uprating a transformer.

Written by Immaculate Kubai, edited by Eric Kombo