This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
On a fateful day in Mukuru Kwa Reuben, a fire broke out in a neighbourhood school due to an illegal power connection, claiming the lives of three children. Michael Ombaso, a resident, narrowly escaped with his daughter, who was studying in the school at the time.
According to Ombaso, most schools in informal settlements like Mukuru Kwa Reuben are privately owned, leaving their owners with no control over power connections. This puts pupils at risk of electrocution from loosely hanging live wires.
Kenya Power has taken steps to address this issue, installing power transformers in informal sectors and partnering with local leaders to spearhead power connections. The company has also rolled out a community-driven approach to sensitise the public on the dangers of illegal power connections.
Earlier this year, over 100 staff from Kenya Power were laid off for their role in aiding fraud, illegal connections, and other crimes. The company's Managing Director, Bernard Ngugi, has vowed to intensify crackdowns on illegal connections nationwide.
Residents in informal settlements have welcomed the initiative, with some even appointing a link person to help them get lawful connections at affordable prices. The joint team from Kenya Power staff and security agencies has been working to eradicate illegal power connections and bring perpetrators to justice.
Kenya Power estimates that cartels in charge of illegal power connections can earn up to Ksh 3 million per month, sharing the proceeds with corrupt workers. The World Bank Report of 2019 estimates that over 650 million people in Africa lack electricity, with the majority dwelling in informal sectors.
