Police have arrested five suspects believed to be the masterminds behind power transformer vandalism in Murang'a county.
The Kenya Power security team apprehended one of the suspects James Ng'ang'a Muiruri at his home in the Karugia area, in Murang'a.
In a weekend joint operation between National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), Ng'ang'a was caught in possession of a service cable in his house.
Kenya Power had also trailed down Vincent Gatoto Ndumia who was found trying to vandalise a 100KVA transformer at Keria village near Mitarakwa factory within the county.
"At the time of his arrest, Mr. Gatoto was driving a motor vehicle belonging to Mr. Ng'ang'a. Upon further investigations and interview by the security team, it was established that Mr.Gatoto was working under instruction from Mr. Ng'ang'a who was the receiver of the vandalised transformers," Kenya Power stated.
The multi-agency security team further apprehended four more suspects linked to the larger electric equipment vandalism group in Murang'a and Nyeri counties.
"Search at their homesteads in Gikondi, Mukurweini recovered copper windings that were obtained from vandalised transformers," KPLC added.
According to the power-supplying company, such illegal activities could result in electrocution and financial losses to the Company.
Kenya Power Security Services Manager Maj. Paul Nyaga (Rtd)lauded the national security agencies for their support in fighting vandalism and theft of electric equipment and warned the public against engaging in such activities.
"We will continue carrying out surveillance on the network to weed out all illegal activities that not only endanger the lives of the vandals but also pose a danger of loss of life to members of the public," said Maj. Nyaga.
Major Nyaga has appealed to the members of the public to reach out to Kenya Power or the police station to report any suspicious activities on the power lines.
