Among the six suspects is the proprietor of Kimangu High School in Nakuru County, Alice Mwangi Wakonyo, who was arrested after the school was found to be using unmetered power. [Photo/citizentv.co.ke]
Six people were arrested as Kenya Power intensified security operations to weed out vandalism, illegal connections and other crimes undermining electricity distribution.
The arrests come barely a week after eight other suspects were nabbed in a similar operation by the Company and arraigned in various courts across the country.
Among the six suspects is the proprietor of Kimangu High School in Nakuru County, Alice Mwangi Wakonyo, who was arrested after the school was found to be using unmetered power.
The school had a debt of Sh32,000. She was booked in at Rongai Police Station and is set to appear before Molo Court on Monday.
Elsewhere, Philip Kipngetich Kirui was arrested at Olenguruoine in Nakuru County while illegally re-routing a stay wire and a pole. Four strat poles which had been used to construct the illegal lines were recovered. He was booked in at Olenguruoine Police Station and will also be arraigned before Molo Court today.
In Kakamega, two suspects Ronald Atuta Ombonya alias Ronny and Constantine Livasia Mbehi were arrested at Shinyalu area while constructing an illegal line. A motor cycle, KLPC overall and a bag containing assorted KPLC documents were recovered from the suspects. They will appear before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kakamega today.
Other suspects; Michael Mbuthia Mugo and Brian Atati Ebeywa were nabbed in Othaya and Limuru respectively.
Michael was found in possession of conductor wires, climbing iron and safety belt.
Brian was arrested for vandalising air-break isolator switches and was found in possession of several copper contact plates that he had obtained from the vandalized switches. Seven switches are confirmed to have been vandalized.
The operation also led to recovery of two service line cables and five prepaid meters in Utawala, Nairobi County.
Illegal connections undermine the quality of power supply as they overload the network leading to unnecessary outages.
In addition, they pose the risk of death to beneficiaries as these lines are not planned and designed following the set standards.
In addition to the immediate loss of supply to customers, illegal power connections and vandalism negatively impact on the Company’s revenue as they result in loss of electricity and also lead to additional costs for replacing damaged equipment.
Kenya Power will continue carrying out close surveillance on the network across the country to curb vandalism and other vices that negatively impact on the power distribution system.
The Company is working with the Police, local administration and locals to carry out this exercise. Those found culpable will be arrested and charged in court.