Police Officer Among Suspects Arrested for Vandalizing Kenya Power Cables

A police officer is among three suspects arrested on Saturday night, June 7, for vandalizing high-voltage underground power cables near Nyayo Stadium. 

In a statement on Monday, June 9, Kenya Power said the cables are part of a critical infrastructure supplying electricity to several key areas.

These areas include Upper Hill, Kenyatta National Hospital, Community, South C, Nairobi West, Madaraka, parts of South B and Industrial Area, Langata Road, Ngumo Estate, Mbagathi Hospital, and KEMRI.

According to Kenya Power, the cables also provide an alternative supply route to Nairobi’s CBD and surrounding areas.

The arrested individuals were identified as Thomas Mutua, Joseph Kyalo, and Dennis Mbithi Nzioki, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Makadara. 

They were part of a group of ten men armed with crude weapons who were caught in the act of vandalizing the 66kV power lines. 

The remaining suspects fled the scene as the trio was apprehended and taken to Capitol Hill Police Station.

Kenya Power’s security team recovered five meters of already vandalized underground cable, along with four hoes, two spades, and two hacksaws during the operation.

Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO Joseph Siror praised the swift action by the security personnel and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to eliminating illegal activities targeting the power grid.

"Vandalism of power infrastructure has continued to pose a serious risk to public safety while disrupting electricity supply to homes and businesses. It is unfortunate that, as we work to supply reliable and safe electricity to our customers, a few people are involved in vandalism and other illegal activities that compromise the safety of the network. 

"We will continue to work collaboratively with the public and law enforcement agencies to deal with these illegalities while ensuring that the perpetrators face the law,” he said.

Siror called on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity near power installations to the nearest police station or any Kenya Power office.

Kenya Power warned that apart from the risk of electrocution, vandalism results in widespread power outages that negatively affect households and businesses, and leads to significant financial losses due to lost electricity sales and the cost of replacing damaged infrastructure.