5 Suspects Arrested Over Transformer Vandalism

The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) security team arrested the mastermind of transformer vandalism alongside 4 others in Murang’a County.

James Ng’ang’a Muiruri, the mastermind of transformer vandalism in Murang’a,  was arrested at his home in Karugia area within Saba Saba and taken to Kenol Police Station.

The suspect was found in possession of Kenya Power’s service cable after the officers conducted a thorough search of his house.

Moreover, the suspects were apprehended in a joint operation involving officers of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), and National Government Administration Officers (NGAO).

Kenya Power employees working on a transformer PHOTO/KPLC

In a separate operation, another suspect identified as Vincent Gatoto Ndumia was arrested at Keria village near Mitarakwa factory within Murang’a County, while attempting to vandalize a 100KVA transformer.

Notably, the officers established that Gatoto was working under instruction from Ng’ang’a, the receiver of the vandalized transformers.

“Upon further investigations and Interview by the security team, it was established that Mr. Gatoto was working under instruction from Mr. Ng’ang’a who was the receiver of the vandalized transformers,” a statement released by KPLC on Monday, October 9 reads in part.

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The power company revealed that Gatoto was driving a motor vehicle belonging to Ng’ang’a.

Report Suspicious Activities

Nonetheless, Kenya Power’s acting Security Services Manager Paul Nyaga thanked the security teams for supporting the company in fighting vandalism and theft of electricity.

“I want to thank the DCI and NGAO officers for the swift action during the operations that we carried out over the weekend,” he stated.

Also, Nyaga warned members of the public against engaging in illegal activities on the electricity network, vowing to weed out all illegal activities.

“We will continue carrying out surveillance on the network to weed out all illegal activities that not only endanger the lives of the vandals but also pose danger of loss of life to members of the public,” he added.

He additionally asked citizens to take responsibility for the well-being of the company’s infrastructure in their areas of residence.

“I ask members of the public to be watchful of energy infrastructure and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or Kenya Power office,” he added.

More Arrests 

During the operation, the multi-agency security team also trailed 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.

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The security team recovered copper windings that were obtained from vandalized transformers after a search at their homesteads in Gikondi, Mukurweini.

Aside from posing the danger of electrocution, Kenya Power noted that transformer vandalism causes losses to the company.

“Transformer vandalism results in financial losses to the Company in the form of lost opportunity for electricity sales and allocation of additional financial resources to replace the vandalized units,” the power company stated.