Energy Chief Officer Simon Kirima and Director, Energy, Newton Musyoka dismount a meter from a residential property allegedly stolen from Machakos county, February 10, 2025.
A total of 200 out of 1800 electricity meters serving various public institutions within Machakos county have been stolen.
Energy Chief Officer Simon Kirima made the revelation after leading a meter verification exercise in different parts of the county on Monday following public outcry over meter vandalism and theft.
Kirima said citizens have been lacking essential services in public institutions as a result of the theft of electricity meters.
He noted that during the crackdown, two meters belonging to the Machakos county were found at a residential property.
“The account balance was reading Sh205,951 and cumulatively the county government has already paid Sh1.6 million for this particular meter. The county government is running into millions of losses as a result,” he lamented.
Director, Energy, Newton Musyoka, issued an ultimatum to anyone in custody of county meters to return them to the nearest police station or the departmental offices within the next seven days.
Through collaborative efforts, Kenya Power is helping county officials to track all the stolen meters.
Kirima made it clear that anyone found in custody of the stolen meters will be charged in a court of law for stealing, illegal electrification and destruction of county property.
An illegal electricity connection is the unlawful alteration of the electrical installation and the electricity transport grid to pay less (or simply not pay) for the energy consumed.
This practice has negative effects on the bills of other consumers and on the tax collection of the state.
It promotes unfair competition and puts the safety of all neighbours at risk.
It also poses a significant danger to both the operators working on the installations and to all the residents of the residential block.
Chances of fire and electrical overloads are increased, which can cause serious damage to household appliances or the entire electrical system.
According to the Energy Act, 2019, vandalism, theft and damage of streetlights and power installations attracts Sh5 million fine or be imprisonment for five years or both.
Further, the vehicles used to transport vandalised materials and equipment shall be confiscated and surrendered to the state.
Anyone who does illegal connections and participates in electricity theft faces Sh1 million fine or one-year imprisonment or both with the illegal power connection disconnected immediately, the law further states.
