Five individuals have been arrested in Kirinyaga County for their involvement in illegal electricity activities and possession of Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) equipment. The arrests were made in Kagio town following a targeted operation by KPLC’s Mt Kenya security team.
The first suspect, a well-known local electrician, was apprehended at his hideout in Kagio. He had been under surveillance for a prolonged period due to his repeated involvement in unauthorized electricity connections and tampering with transformer fuses across the county. Authorities confirmed that he was found in possession of stolen energy equipment and tools commonly used in illegal installations.
Another suspect, the chairperson of the Kagio electricians’ welfare group, was also arrested. He was found to be actively engaging in the theft of prepaid meters and Customer Interface Units (CIUs), along with illegal power connections in the area. Investigations revealed he had operated for some time under the guise of a registered technician.
A third suspect was caught at Kiamaciri village while carrying a pair of wooden climbers, a safety belt, and a range of electrical tools typically used for unauthorized installations. He was linked to several incidents of illegal power connections and tampering with KPLC infrastructure. His motorcycle, believed to be used during his illegal operations, was seized and impounded by the police.
Two more suspects, a landlady and her tenant, were arrested after being found with three migrated prepaid meters on their property in Kagio. Acting on a community tip-off, KPLC security personnel traced the devices to their premises. Both were taken in for questioning and provided statements regarding the origin of the meters.
All suspects were taken to Kiamaciri police station and are expected to face charges related to illegal electricity operations, including conducting power-related work without a license, energy theft, and possession of stolen equipment.
During a visit to Kangai village in Mwea Constituency, the Energy Principal Secretary urged residents to report suspicious activities involving power infrastructure. He warned that energy theft not only endangers lives but also leads to significant losses for the country. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on illegal electricity activities across the region.
