Govt Fires 110 for Risking Kenyans' Lives

Stock image of Kenyans crossing a street in Nairobi.
Stock image of Kenyans crossing a street in Nairobi.
Simon Kiragu
KENYANS.CO.KE

110 employees were sacked after they were found to have endangered the lives of Kenyans. 

The Kenya Power staff were fired for facilitating fraudulent activities, illicit electricity connections and several other crimes as reported by Citizen Digital on Thursday, February 27.

Kenya Power CEO Bernard Ngugi revealed the lay off when he led a crackdown on illegal power connections at Embakasi East's Tassia Estate.

He warned members of the public against similar acts, stating they not only subverted the law but also posed a major threat to safety and security.

Bernard Ngugi addresses the media when he was appointed Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO on October 29, 2019.
Bernard Ngugi addresses the media when he was appointed Kenya Power managing director and CEO on October 29, 2019.
Capital Group

“Illegal connections do not just threaten the company’s revenue but also the lives of beneficiaries and the public at large. We are focused on eliminating these crimes and ensuring all those found culpable face the full force of the law,” Ngugi stated.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter and Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti were present at the operation that was conducted in collaboration with personnel from Kenya Power and officers drawn from National Police Service.

In January 2020, a similar operation that was conducted at Mukuru kwa Njenga slums led to the seizing of 16 transformers and assorted cables that used in the illicit supply of electricity.

Kenya Power has in the recent past stepped up vigilance on the national grid in a bid to curb the rising cases of illegal connectivity, vandalism, bypassing of meters and fraud involving bill payment transactions, and the purchase of tokens. 

In October 2019, Kenya Power formed a response team, Field Enforcement Unit (FEU) that would work closely with security agencies to counter illegal power tapping.

Since July 1, 2019, 630 members of the public have been arrested across the country and charged on accounts of fraud and illegal power connections. 115 have been convicted.

In April 2018, a crackdown by the power distributor busted over 20 buildings in Tassia Estate which had illegally tapped electricity.

The operation was carried out by a team comprising the company’s security personnel, revenue protection unit staff, and the police.

Kenya Power personnel cut off power lines at Embakasi East's Tassia Estate on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
Kenya Power personnel cut off power lines at Embakasi East's Tassia Estate on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
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