Man shot, four arrested for vandalising power lines
A Kenya Power transformer. A man was shot after he was found vandalising power lines in Gikambura area, Kikuyu Sub-County. FILE PHOTO | TONNY OMONDI |
What you need to know:
- He suffered two bullet wounds and was arrested but his accomplices escaped.
- Another man was arrested in Magogoni in Thika West, Kiambu County, over illegal electricity connections.
A man was shot and four others were arrested in separate incidents after they were found vandalising power lines.
The five were arrested Monday as Kenya Power steps up surveillance to fight vandalism and theft of electricity.
Kenya Power said in a statement on Tuesday that the man was shot in Gikambura, Kikuyu Sub-County, after he and two others were found vandalising electricity conductors serving a street-lighting project on the Eastern Bypass.
He suffered two bullet wounds and was arrested but his accomplices escaped.
In Karatina, Nyeri County, three other people were arrested after they were found vandalising electricity conductors on power lines.
Another man was arrested in Magogoni in Thika West, Kiambu County, over illegal electricity connections.
Kenya Power acting Manager for Security Services Geoffrey Kigen said the illegal activities, especially tapping electricity, undermines the quality of power supply to customers and endangers lives.
“Vandalism of electricity distribution equipment and illegal tapping of electrical energy increases power losses, which impacts negatively on revenue generated from sale of electricity,” he said.
