The suspects are alleged to have received stolen equipment from vandals before reselling it.Two people suspected of stealing electricity infrastructure worth Sh3 million have been arrested in Kisumu.
The suspects are alleged to have received stolen equipment from vandals before reselling it to individuals who make illegal power connections.
They were picked up in the Manyatta Kona Maji area by Kenya Power’s security team working with law enforcement agencies.
Recovered items included steady bars, cross arms, stay wires, conductors, insulators, danger plates, bolts, cables, surge diverters and other fittings belonging to Kenya Power.
The utility company valued the haul at about Sh3 million.
“The two suspects are already in custody, and this operation is a testament to our commitment to weed out all the persons who are involved in illegal activities within the network," Kenya Power Security Services Manager Maj (Rtd) Geoffrey Kigen said.
"We call upon members of the public to work with us in reporting and safeguarding the same infrastructure that powers their businesses and lives.”
Kigen added that Kisumu and the wider Western Region have suffered persistent power interruptions, some caused by vandalism and others by illegal connections.
The latest operation, carried out jointly with Kisumu Central subcounty police, was hailed as a major breakthrough.
Kigen also thanked law enforcement officers for their role in tackling crimes that threaten the electricity supply and endanger lives.
The Energy Act 2019 criminalises tampering with electricity installations, theft, vandalism and destruction of power infrastructure, prescribing a penalty of up to Sh5 million, five years in prison, or both.
In April this year, the Kitale Law Court slapped a man involved in the theft and vandalism of electric infrastructure in western Kenya with a six-year jail term with an option of a Sh10.2 million fine.
The man, who had a previous record of similar offences, pleaded guilty to vandalising energy infrastructure, stealing energy equipment, handling stolen energy equipment, and carrying out an electric installation without the necessary authorisation.
He was handed a three-year jail term for each count, with an option of a Sh5 million fine for each of the two offences.
He was also sentenced to five years in prison with an option of a Sh100,000 fine for handling stolen energy equipment, while on the fourth offence of conducting unauthorised electric installation, he received five months in prison with a Sh100,000 fine.
Kenya Power said the Kisumu arrests highlight its ongoing efforts to protect electricity infrastructure and guarantee a reliable supply to customers.
