More than 1,000 people arrested over vandalism, theft since July last year- Kenya Power
Business
By
Sharon Wanga
| Nov 16, 2023
The Kenya Power says more than 1,000 people have been arrested and prosecuted since July last year over illegal activities linked to electricity connections across the country.
In a statement on Thursday, November 16, the company's Managing Director Joseph Siror said out of those arrested, 472 cases are related to vandalism, theft of electricity equipment, and damage to energy infrastructure.
Additionally, 320 people have been arrested for illegal connections and fraudulent consumption of electricity while thirty-three (33) were arrested for wayleave encroachment.
Kenya Power has now partnered with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in a bid to fight the upsurge of transformer vandalism and theft of electric equipment.
"We have witnessed a recent surge in cases of vandalism and illegal connections across the country leading to unplanned power outages that inconvenience our customers. The company is working with various security agencies to tackle these illegal activities," Siror said.
READ MORE
Court of Appeal should abandon its obsession with procedure and its decisions
'This must stop': 2024 Gen Z protest families plan anniversary demos
It is not till death do you part, judge tells petitioner
New Sh4b project to spruce up Nanyuki's skyline
AG, Defence Council defend military deployment during 2024 Gen Z protests
Protest victims to be compensated from next week
How 4K Club is turning learners into champions of sustainable farming
Why Mbadi's Sh4.8tn budget is out of touch with 'hustlers'
Somali referee banned by US to officiate European Super Cup UEFA
"We are confident that the partnership with the DCI will boost our capacity to proactively fight vandalism and other crimes through an intelligence-led approach," he added.
Siror noted that the company has reported a 46 per cent growth in cases of transformer vandalism affecting more power transformers compared to the previous financial year.
As a result, the DCI has deployed forty-two (42) officers to work in collaboration with the power company to curb vandalism, and theft of electricity and fiber, and put an end to illegal encroachment of wayleaves.
the Kenya Power boss noted that vandalism not only leads to the company incurring losses but also poses a great danger of electrocution to the public.
"The DCI will continue supporting investigations and protecting the energy sector against criminal activities whenever we are called upon. We will work collaboratively for purposes of following the money trail, especially among those handling stolen copper and oil from vandalized transformers, so that the masterminds of these activities are arrested and prosecuted," said Paul Wachira, Deputy Director for Investigations at the DCI.
The company now plans to roll out a public awareness campaign to address vandalism that lowers the quality of power supply and directly affects the economy.
Falling crude oil prices raise hope of relief at the pump
News of a deal to end the Iran-US war earlier this week has seen prices fall to below $100 per barrel for the first time in months.Kenya's first dollar-denominated green property fund oversubscribed as investors seek hard-currency returns
TRIFIC CEO Brenda Mbathi described the oversubscription as a strong endorsement of the quality of the underlying assets and the resilience of our business structure.Why US has beaten China to clinch Kenya's Sh9.7tr minerals deal
America has struck a preliminary minerals deal with Kenya, securing a foothold in one of the world’s largest untapped rare earth deposits worth about Sh9.7 trillion. The deal edges out China.From financing to procurement: Who is fooling whom in JKIA expansion deal?
The government has denied contracting controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo’s firm IMC Construction Kenya the contract to modernise and expand the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.Informed consumer is key to dealing with fake motor insurance certificates
Many victims are not intentionally breaking the law but are ordinary motorists who purchased insurance in good faith but were deceived by rogue and often unlicensed agents.MOST READ
- Kenya's first dollar-denominated green property fund oversubscribed as investors seek hard-currency returns
BUSINESS
By Brian Ngugi
- Why US has beaten China to clinch Kenya's Sh9.7tr minerals deal
ENTERPRISE
By Brian Ngugi
- From financing to procurement: Who is fooling whom in JKIA expansion deal?
BUSINESS