A police officer was among three individuals arrested after they were found vandalising high-voltage underground power cables near Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. The incident occurred on Saturday night and posed a significant threat to electricity supply in critical parts of the city.
The targeted underground cables serve as the primary power supply to the Ragati and Nairobi West substations. These substations are responsible for delivering electricity to major areas including Upper Hill, Kenyatta National Hospital, Community area, South C, Nairobi West, Madaraka, parts of South B and the Industrial Area, Langata Road, Ngumo Estate, Mbagathi Hospital, and KEMRI. The act of vandalism risked plunging these key facilities and residential zones into darkness, severely affecting public safety and essential services.
The three arrested suspects were identified as Thomas Mutua, Joseph Kyalo, and Dennis Mbithi Nzioki, the latter of whom is a police officer stationed at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Makadara. They were part of a ten-man group armed with crude tools who descended on the 66kV underground cables in a coordinated attempt to steal the infrastructure. While the rest of the group managed to escape, the three were caught and later booked at Capitol Hill police station.
During the arrest, security personnel from Kenya Power recovered five meters of already vandalised 66kV cable. Additionally, tools believed to have been used in the act were confiscated, including four hoes, two spades, and two hacksaws. These crude implements highlighted the group’s preparedness and intent to carry out the crime.
In response to the arrests, Kenya Power’s leadership commended the swift response by its internal security team. The incident forms part of a broader crackdown on criminal syndicates that have increasingly targeted the country’s power infrastructure. The utility’s management emphasized that vandalism of electricity assets is not only a criminal offense but also a direct threat to public safety, economic activity, and the delivery of essential services.
The utility’s CEO described the incident as a wake-up call and reiterated the company’s commitment to working with law enforcement and the general public to protect vital power infrastructure. He stressed that while efforts are underway to enhance the reliability of electricity supply across the country, such acts of sabotage undermine those objectives and cannot be tolerated.
Members of the public have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity near power installations. By fostering collaboration between citizens, security agencies, and service providers, the fight against infrastructure vandalism can be strengthened, ensuring the continued delivery of safe and reliable electricity across the country.
