KPLC has lost Sh30m in Busia due to vandalism

Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) Busia substation has lost Sh30 million in the last 12 months to criminals vandalising and stealing electricity poles, cables, wires, and other properties.

Engineer Augustine Wanyonyi, KPLC Technical Manager, revealed this after the arrest of one suspected criminal behind the vandalisation of the electric wires. 

"In the last year, we have lost properties worth over Sh30 million to vandalism and theft, and this is after criminals stole wires and electricity posts," said Wanyonyi.

Wanyonyi, however, turned to residents to be the company's good ambassadors by reporting cases of vandalism and theft to the company and security agencies to avoid loss of power and enable businesses to thrive.

"We are urging our people and local administration to be at the forefront of curbing such cases. As a company, we are telling our people not to allow any person who is not a Kenya Power employee to purport to fix or work on behalf of the company," said Wanyonyi.

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He added, "I want to urge our people who are our customers to help us in ensuring every person who claims to be our worker should identify himself or herself, and if he or she fails to do so, such a case should be reported immediately."

Wanyonyi added that cases of vandalism and theft have been on the rise in the border county, and those doing it are selling the materials to some rogue traders, which is affecting the constant supply of power.

"We aim to make sure our people have the power for their business to thrive, and hence the economy. We have discovered that some of the materials being stolen are sold as scrap metals, and we are going to work with security agencies to pursue the culprits and ensure they face the law," said Wanyonyi.

In the last three months, five people have been arrested and charged before the court of law in Busia County over theft and vandalism.

A week ago, one person was arrested in Matayos constituency with cables and wires and was arraigned for vandalism.

In February this year, one person was arrested in Teso South with Kenya Power wires worth Sh250,000, while three others managed to escape.

According to Kenya Power, the four were in the act of stealing five electricity poles and wires one kilometre long, before they were busted and arrested.

"We have so far arraigned over two suspects for vandalism and economic sabotage, and we are looking for others who happened to escape. We are going to intensify patrols and inspections in areas where these cases are notorious," said Wanyonyi.

According to the 2024 annual report, Kenya Power lost 110 transformers worth Sh137 million due to vandalism in the period from 1st September 2023 to 31st August 2024.

Furthermore, the reports show that 114 cases of vandalism were reported across the country, out of which 40 cases have been finalised and 41 cases are still pending, with 33 under investigation.

In the 2022/2023 and 2021/2022 financial years, the company lost Sh670 million due to vandalism across the country.

The company further said that rogue individuals stole transformers alongside steel tower bracing, earth cables, and other vital materials in various substations across the country.