This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
On July 24, 2019, the Senate committee on Energy heard that about 3,500 customers colluded with Kenya Power staff to steal Sh35.3 million worth of prepaid tokens generated illegally from the utility firm.
According to Jared Othieno, the Kenya Power acting managing director, 13 members of staff were found to have been involved in the fraud. The staff found culpable were either sacked or disciplined administratively, Mr Othieno said.
Kenya Power will not compensate any customer found to have colluded with the staff to steal the tokens on diverse dates between January 2018 and February 2018, Mr Othieno told the committee.
Mr Othieno explained that all the customers who were affected bought tokens at discounted amounts knowingly from his fraudulent staff, and none of the money came to Kenya Power.
Some customers and staff had recorded statements with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the prepaid tokens had been advertised on social media for sale at discounted prices.
Committee members accused the company of strangling customers with high power tariffs owing to its monopoly, and questioned why Kenya Power cannot take responsibility and pay customers who may have been tricked into the fraud by its officers.
