Two individuals have been arrested in connection with a sophisticated electricity theft syndicate that has cost the country over Ksh90 million in losses and infrastructure damage. The arrests took place in Mpinda village, Igembe, following a targeted operation based on intelligence reports.
Authorities revealed that one of the suspects, identified as a notorious figure in the region, is believed to have masterminded the illegal electricity supply network. Together with his accomplice, the suspect was allegedly running an underground system that tapped power directly from the national grid and distributed it to unauthorized users across several villages.
The clandestine operation had been in existence for at least four years. Investigations established that the illegal network powered over 21 borehole pumps that supplied water to numerous miraa farms in Mpinda and surrounding areas, including Kabuitu, Kanyakine, Muthucine, and Mangala. None of the boreholes had metering systems, meaning their consumption was invisible to the official billing process.
The impact on the electricity infrastructure has been substantial. The illegal connections reportedly caused the failure of 14 transformers, leading to costly replacements estimated at over Ksh21 million. The siphoned electricity for the boreholes is valued at approximately Ksh90.7 million in revenue losses over the four-year period.
Investigators indicated that the network was highly organized, pointing to the possibility of additional players, including insiders, who may have aided the syndicate. Further investigations are underway to identify and apprehend other suspects linked to the operation.
The two individuals arrested are currently in custody and awaiting arraignment in court. Authorities have issued a strong warning to the public against engaging in illegal power connections, noting that such practices endanger lives, undermine the stability of the national grid, and weaken the country’s economy.
Members of the public have also been urged to report suspicious electricity connections to relevant authorities to help curb the growing problem of power theft. With the crackdown ongoing, more arrests and prosecutions are expected in the coming weeks.
Illegal power connections remain one of the biggest challenges facing the energy sector in Kenya, draining resources, damaging infrastructure, and exposing communities to electrical hazards.
