This archive report was first published on 13 September 2019.
Kenya Power has sounded the alarm over rampant transformer theft in Nyandarua County, with the area ranking second only to Nairobi in Central Rift.
According to Engineer Joseph Kariuki, Kenya Power Business Manager, the county has seen a staggering 19 transformers stolen in the last year alone.
Engineer Kariuki lamented that resources meant to connect more customers with electricity were being redirected to replace stolen transformers.
"We have encountered loss of revenue and customer dissatisfaction through loss of transformers, which is more worrying," Kariuki said, appealing to the security team and locals to curb the theft.
County Commissioner Mr. Boaz Cherutich has vowed to crack down on illegal scrap metal dealers, warning those found engaging in the black market would face the law.
Cherutich noted that parts of Rurii, Museveni, and Kasuku were on the spot for stealing of transformers, with the government committed to deploying more security officers to bring down the alarming cases of theft.
"I urge the members of the public through the community policing and Nyumba Kumi initiative to be vigilant and report cases of vandalism. It is however the duty of the Government to ensure that electricity reached every household," Cherutich said.
County Police Commander Dr. Gideon Ngumi warned that curtailment of electricity connectivity through transformer theft risked a fine of over Sh 1 million.
Ngumi insisted that the illegal business would come to an end, citing other areas that had successfully curbed the practice.
His counterpart, John Mwaura, noted that more officers would be deployed to man the electricity infrastructure, warning cartels that their days were numbered.
