- Siror expressed confidence that the partnership with the DCI will boost their capacity to proactively fight vandalism.
- During the last financial year, the power distributer recorded a 46 per cent rise in cases of transformer vandalism.
Kenya Power has partnered with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to fight rising cases of vandalism and theft of electricity.
The DCI has attached 42 officers to work collaboratively with Kenya Power’s security team to stem vandalism, theft of electricity and fibre as well as illegal encroachment of wayleaves.
“We have witnessed a recent surge in cases of vandalism and illegal connections across the country leading to unplanned power outages that inconvenience our customers. The company is working with various security agencies, including collaboration with the DCI, to tackle these illegal activities,” Managing Director and CEO Joseph Siror said.
Siror, in a press release, expressed confidence that the partnership with the DCI will boost its capacity to proactively fight vandalism and other crimes through an intelligence-led approach.
During the last financial year, the power distributor recorded a 46 per cent rise in cases of transformer vandalism. Some 242 transformers were vandalised during the period compared to 165 units the year earlier.
Beyond the loss of revenue for the company, vandalism and illegal power connections expose the public to the danger of electrocution.
Additionally, vandalism compromises the quality of power supply and directly affects the economy as reliable electricity supply is crucial for economic growth.
“The Company is rolling out a public awareness campaign to address these issues,” Siror added.
Paul Wachira, Deputy Director for Investigations at the DCI, said they will support investigations and protect the energy sector against criminal activities whenever called upon.
“Through partnerships such as the one we now have with Kenya Power, we will work collaboratively for purposes of following the money trail, especially among those handling stolen copper and oil from vandalised transformers, so that the masterminds of these activities are arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
The statement noted that since July last year, a total of 1,026 people have been arrested across the country and prosecuted for various illegal activities within the electricity network.
It added that 472 cases related to vandalism, theft of energy equipment and damage to energy infrastructure.
Illegal connections and fraudulent consumption of electricity accounted for 320 while 33 people were arrested for wayleave encroachment, the statement further noted.