Kenya Power steps up revenue protection

By Beth Nyaga

A total of 174 people have been arrested for electricity theft and vandalism between January and April this year.

These arrests are as a result of Kenya Power’s steps to protect revenue.

The crackdown is part of an ongoing campaign by the company aimed at sealing all loopholes for revenue loss, including cutting illegal power connections and enhanced safeguarding of electricity assets.

“Our footprint has increased and we are constantly carrying out surveillance on equipment and establishments through our internal resources and community policing initiatives,” said Kenya Power’s Acting Manager for Security Services Major Geoffrey Kigen (Rtd).

Most vandalism cases were witnessed in West Kenya and Mount Kenya regions, both accounting for 58 arrests during the period under review.

However, cases of transformer vandalism have been on a decline as the company deploys technical protection measures such as hosting of transformers above high voltage lines, welding and ring fencing.

Compared to the previous years, Kigen said that there has been a tremendous reduction in all aspects of loss by about 118 per cent.

“Vandals are now being handed stiffer penalties and jail terms that have served to deter other suspects from carrying out illegal activities.

Last month, a Nyahururu court sentenced three vandals to 10 years in jail for vandalizing a transformer at Tetu Farm in Subukia in what was largely perceived as a boost to efforts to curb vandalism.