Several homesteads in Kibera slums are in a state of uncertainty following the decision by the Kenya Power Company and Lighting Company (KPLC) to beef up crackdown against illegal electricity connections in the area.
According to Geoffrey Kigen, KPLC’s acting security manager, the company has identified hot spot areas where illegal power connections are thriving so well.
'’Cases of illegal electricity connections have shot up, a fact attributed to the anticipation of the last mile power connectivity project by local customers. Our company's marketing team in partnership with other security organs are conducting sensitisation campaigns to the members of the public so that they do not fall victims of these fraudulent activities,'’ noted Kigen.
The security manager further explained that the company has beefed up occasional patrol and inspections to curb the vice.
The move by KPLC comes just a day after two people were charged before the Kibera Law Courts for using electricity from an unmetered power source.
Ndungu Mathu and Peter Gatahi Muturi appeared in court on Thursday to answer a case filed by the power company against them for fraudulently stealing from the company through illegal connections.
Kibera has in the recent past been in Kenya Power's top watch list due to the numerous counts of illegal underground connections done by local electricians in the area.