Kenya Power Issues Warning as More Suspects are Arrested Over Tower Vandalism

Kenya Power has arrested three more suspects in Nairobi and Kiambu counties in connection with the vandalism of transmission tower 1052 in Ngubi, Naivasha.

In a statement on Tuesday, September 22, the company said the suspects, identified as James Njenga, Shadrack Mwangi and Ruben Kipkoech Ngetich, were apprehended by Kenya Power’s Central and North Eastern Security teams.

Their arrests followed leads obtained from two suspects who were arrested on Monday, September 21, as the utility company intensified investigations into the vandalism of its infrastructure.

Kenya Power said the latest arrests were made during targeted operations at scrap metal yards, where its security teams recovered materials believed to have been vandalised from its infrastructure.

"The suspects were arrested during operations at scrap metal yards in Gitaru and Uthiru, where our teams recovered crucial exhibits and vandalised Kenya Power materials. 

"Reginah Githira was also arrested at Rewagi scrap metal workshop in Uthiru while in possession of vandalised electricity materials belonging to Kenya Power," the statement read.

The utility company said the suspects were subsequently taken to Naivasha Police Station as investigations continued.

"All suspects were escorted to Naivasha Police Station and booked for arraignment. The recovered exhibits will undergo forensic analysis to support ongoing investigations and prosecution," the statement added.

Kenya Power warned that vandalism of electricity infrastructure has far-reaching consequences, including disruptions to businesses and prolonged power outages.

The company also cautioned that damaged infrastructure can expose members of the public and livestock to dangerous electrical wires.

"Vandalism of power infrastructure disrupts businesses, causes prolonged outages and leaves exposed wires that endanger lives and livestock. Under the Energy Act 2019, offenders face heavy fines and imprisonment," the statement concluded.

The vandalism in question culminated in the collapsing of a transmission tower along the Naivasha-Juja 132kV double-circuit line.

The incident, which occurred around 3 am, triggered a power outage that disrupted electricity supply through the Ruaraka Substation, the KPLC said.

According to the utility firm, its teams moved swiftly to contain the disruption, rerouting power through alternative substations and restoring supply to all affected customers within roughly ninety minutes.

"Our teams immediately rerouted power through alternative substations, restoring supply to all affected customers by 4:30 am," the company said.

Items recovered at the scene of the collapse have raised further concerns about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Kenya Power indicated that evidence found at the site suggests those responsible were at the location when the structure came down.

"Items recovered at the scene indicate that the vandals were present when the tower collapsed," the statement read.

The company said its security team is working alongside police to establish the full facts of the case, even as efforts to repair the damaged infrastructure get under way.