Kenya Power’s security team has arrested a man believed to be the mastermind of transformer vandalism within Murang’a County.
The suspect identified as James Ng’ang’a Muiruri, was arrested at his home at Karugia area withinSaba Saba.
Kenya Power says Ng’ang’a was arrested and booked at Kenol Police Station during a weekend long operation that was supported by officers from The Directorate of Criminal Investigation’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) and National Government Administration Officers (NGAO).
The suspect was found in possession of a Kenya Power’s service cable upon a search at his house.
In a similar operation carried out the previous night, a vandal identified as Vincent Gatoto Ndumia was arrested at Keria village near Mitarakwa factory within Murang’a County, while attempting to vandalise a 100KVA transformer.
At the time of his arrest, Gatoto was driving a motor vehicle belonging to Ng’ang’a.
Support from national security institutions
Upon further investigations and interview by the security team, it was established that Gatoto was working under instruction from Ng’ang’a who was the receiver of the vandalised transformers.
Kenya Power’s acting Security Services Manager Maj. Pau Nyaga (Rtd) lauded the support that the Company has received from the national security institutions in fighting vandalism and theft of electricity.
He also warned members of the pubic against engaging in illegal activities on the electricity network.
“I want to thank the DCI and NGAO officers for the swift action during the operations that we carried out over the weekend. We will continue carrying out surveillance on the network to weed out illegal activities that not only endanger the lives of the vandas but also pose danger of loss of life to members of the public,” said Maj. Nyaga.
“I ask members of the pubic to be watchful of energy infrastructure and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or Kenya Power office,” he added.
During the operation,the multi agency security team also trail and arrested 4 more suspects who are believed to be part of a larger syndicate driving vandalism of transformers and other electricity equipment within the counties of Murang’a and Nyeri.
Financial loses
A Search at their homesteads in Gikondi, Mukurweini recovered copper windings that were obtained from vandalised transformers.
Beyond posing the danger of electrocution, transformer vandalism results in financial losses to the Company in form of lost opportunity for electricity sales and allocation of additional financial resources to replace the vandalized units.
