Five people have been arrested in Kirinyaga County for alleged involvement in illegal power connections and possession of stolen Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) equipment.
The Mt Kenya KPLC security team carried out the operation where they recovered stolen electricity meters, Customer Interface Units (CIUs), climbing gear, safety belts, and other electrical tools that were used for the unauthorized electrical activities.
According to Kirinyaga branch manager Ruto Kipkorir, the culprits were arrested in Kagio Town and surrounding areas before they were taken to Kiamaciri Police Station. The first suspect, John Wareri, a notorious unlicensed electrician, was arrested in Kagio Town. He had been in KPLCs radar for allegedly carrying out illegal power connections and interfering with TX fuses within Kirinyaga County.
“The suspect was taken to Kiamaciri police station and will be charged with offence of carrying out electricity operations without license, unauthorized connections of energy and other energy related offences,” Ruto said.
The second suspect, Nelson Maina, chairperson of Kagio electricians’ welfare group, was also arrested. He is alleged to be the mastermind of illegal power hookups and theft of KPLC meters and CIUs.
He was taken to Kiamaciri police station, where he will be charged with stealing energy equipment and carrying out electricity operations without license.
The third suspect, David Mungai, was caught in Kiamaciri village with a set of wooden climbing tools, a safety belt, and assorted electrical equipment.
“The suspect has been on security radar for carrying out illegal connections and interfering with Tx fuses within Kirinyaga county and his motorcycle was detained at Kiamaciri police station,” Ruto said.
Following a tip off, the KPLC security team made further arrests after tracing Jane Wangithi, a plot owner at Kagio and her tenant Ken Kathimba after the duo was found with three migrated prepaid meters suspected to have been illegally obtained. They were also taken to Kiamaciri police station.
All five suspects remain in custody as investigations continue and are expected to face multiple charges, including energy theft and illegal power dealings.
– By Anthony Mwangi
