Two arrested for vandalizing Kenya Power equipment

A middle-aged man was on Thursday, September 15 arrested and ten poles, a prepaid electricity meter and 1,200 meters of conductors recovered in Sitotwet and Sambochi areas of Kericho County.

According to a statement from Kenya Power, Erick Kipkurui Koech, was arrested by Kenya Power’s security agents and the Police following an operation to track down construction of illegal lines on Wednesday.

Koech will be charged for vandalism, illegal installation of power equipment and for being in possession of stolen electricity conductors.

“At the same time, teams drawn from Security and Operations and Maintenance departments have recovered 500 metres of aluminium conductors and two prepaid meters through a joint operation carried out at Syokimau, in Machakos County, boosting efforts to fight vandalism and theft of electricity,” read the statement.

Elsewhere, another person, James Opiyo Akal, who is reportedly responsible for construction of illegal lines was arrested at Utange area, Kisauni in Mombasa.

The arrests come barely a month after five people were nabbed for vandalism and theft of electricity.

“The number of arrests carried out by Kenya Power security personnel for crimes related to vandalism and theft of electricity rose by 77 per cent to 257 in the half-year to June 2016, compared to the same period last year, according to internal analysis. The increase in arrests is due to a concerted effort by Kenya Power and police to crack down on illegal connections, vandalism and theft of the Company property,” further read the statement.