Police officers have arrested several suspects in separate incidents of vandalism and theft targeting public infrastructure and scrap metal in Kilifi County.
In the first case, officers from Lango Baya Police Station apprehended a man at the Old Gabion of the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA) in Kilifi on Tuesday, September 16. According to police, the suspect was caught in the act of destroying a steel cover with a sledgehammer.
Authorities recovered the tool used in the incident along with pieces of the damaged steel cover, which were collected as exhibits. The suspect was immediately taken to Lango Baya Police Station for questioning. He is expected to be arraigned in Malindi Law Courts on Thursday, September 18, where he will face charges under the Scrap Metal Act and the Penal Code.
The Scrap Metal Act was introduced to curb rising cases of vandalism of public assets such as road signs, water pipes, and electrical equipment. Such crimes have often led to service disruptions, financial losses, and safety risks for the public. Officials say this arrest demonstrates the government’s determination to crack down on individuals who engage in such activities.
In a separate incident on Wednesday, September 17, police arrested three people in Majeng, Kilifi County, in connection with theft of public and private property. Officers conducted a search following a tip-off and arrested the suspects, who were allegedly linked to the theft of assorted spanners, workshop tools, and a roll of barbed wire.
Investigations revealed that one of the suspects led police to a scrap metal shop where the stolen items had been taken. The recovery of these exhibits not only provided evidence for prosecution but also highlighted the role of illegal scrap metal markets in fueling vandalism and theft.
The three suspects are being held at Mtwapa Police Station and are also expected to be arraigned in court. Authorities emphasized that dismantling networks of vandalism and scrap metal theft is key to protecting vital infrastructure such as water works, electricity lines, and communication networks.
Residents in Kilifi have in the past raised concerns about frequent vandalism of water and electricity installations, which often causes prolonged disruptions in services. Police assured the public that enhanced patrols and intelligence-led operations will continue in hotspot areas to prevent further incidents.
