Chief, elders arrested over illegal power connections

An assistant chief and three community policing leaders have been arrested over illegal power connections at a village in Molo, Nakuru County.

Molo Sub-County Police Commander Samuel Mukusi said the four, who were arrested on Thursday evening, were in charge of connections scheme as they led local residents in pooling money before engaging a company to undertake the project.

“Kenya Power visited the village and established that the connections were illegal,” said Mr Mukusi. 

The four suspects were later released on free bond.

• .

  Keep Reading

• 
  Three dead in Nakuru after consuming illicit alcohol
• 
  Why Ruto's hustler revolution has finally died
• 
  Questions over power stability as country is plunged into darkness
• 
  Reopening of War Memorial Hospital stalls over Sh2.3 million bill

The illegal connections were done by a private company that received nearly Sh3 million from villagers who contributed Sh28,000 per household.

Johnson Wamwangi, who is in charge of Kenya Power office in Molo, said his staff were not involved. 

“The connections were being done in total disregard to the Energy Act. They were placing the lives of the beneficiaries in great danger,” said Wamwangi. 

Kenya Power employees were deployed to remove poles and power cables amid protests from local residents. 

“A transformer installed to serve the 100 households was among two that were stolen in Sobea earlier this year. We shall ensure justice is served for the victims,” said Wamwangi.

He said Kenya Power had designed a connection plan for the affected households which was being considered under the last-mile connectivity programme.