The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives arrested a suspected transformer vandal after he was found possessing a cache of Kenya Power properties believed to have been vandalized within the Makongeni area of Kiambu County.
Detectives found 140 liters of transformer oil, pole climbers, nine sets of customer interface units, a winch, a KPLC apron, assorted transformer bolts and nuts, a roll of copper cable, a handheld drill, ropes, and a sack of transformer laminators.
Detectives in Thika have launched a manhunt for other known accomplices in the area.
This comes barely a month after Kenya Power and Lighting Company resolved to work with the DCI to curb the rising cases of vandalism of its equipment.
In the partnership, 42 DCI officers will be attached to the utility provider’s security team to stem vandalism, theft of electricity and fiber, and illegal encroachment of way leaves.
Did you read this?
“We have witnessed a recent surge in cases of vandalism and illegal connections across the country leading to unplanned power outages that inconvenience our customers,” KPLC MD Joseph Siror said on November 16.
“The Company is working with various security agencies, including collaboration with the DCI, to tackle these illegal activities,” Siror added.
“We are confident that the partnership with the DCI will boost our capacity to proactively fight vandalism and other crimes through an intelligence-led approach.”
