Two scrap metal dealers were arrested and several items including bullet spent cartridges recovered from them in an operation in Olkalau area, Gilgil.
Police said they had joined Kenya Power officials in an operation following increased cases of transformer vandalism when they stumbled on the spent cartridges.
The team wants to know where the dealer got the two half-sacks of spent cartridges of 7.62mm ordinary.
Also recovered from the yard was a water meter, pieces of copper transformer wires, assorted clipped cartridges, an electric meter, four water pumps, trailer lorry, a grinder and alternator.
The team also recovered transformer copper wires, transformer copper earthing plates, assorted pieces of copper wires and new tap fittings from a different yard.
Officials had decried rising cases of vandalism of transformers in the area prompting the operation.
The transformers are vandalized and taken to scrap metal dealers and sold there.
Police also suspect the suppliers of the spent cartridges obtained them from some of the shooting ranges in the area.
This has raised concerns on the issue of management of such weapons, which can be misused.
In 2021, a similar operation in Nakuru led to the recovery of thousands of spent cartridges in a yard dealing with scrap metals.
The case is still pending in court, police said.
Rift Valley head of DCI Francis Wanjau said they are enhancing operations to address cases of vandalism in the country.
“These vandalized metal find their way to the yards and we want the handlers to help us deal with the menace,” he said.
He added vandalism leaves many in danger and especially when it targets transformers and other steel-creating barriers on the roads.
He said the dealers are the end users of the vandalized metal hence the need for them to play a key role in containing the menace.
Vandals damaging roads are targeting fittings including guard rails, barrier grills and street light posts hence compromising the safety of users.
