The Ministry of Energy, on Monday, May 8, rolled out a countrywide campaign to weed out illegal connections and curb electricity theft in the country.
In the operation, which commenced in Nairobi, National Police Service, accompanied by Kenya Power officials, raided Embakasi Estate, in Eastlands. According to the police report, 80 kilogrammes of expensive KPLC copper wires were seized at a godown.
Other electricity supply materials were also recovered during the operation in Nairobi, Embakasi Estate.
Law enforcement officers argued that the suspects were believed to have vandalised KPLC materials and stashed the wires to promote outlawed trade.
Besides addressing vandalism, the Energy Ministry indicated that the operation was geared towards addressing the quality of electricity supply within different households.
Illegal connections reportedly compromised the quality of the electricity supply. According to Ministry of Energy officials, illegal connections pose a danger of electrocution to users.
During the operation, KPLC hinted at amending the Energy Act to prescribe punitive penalties to those culpable of electricity theft.
At the same time, the operation was launched to sensitise the public on safety tips when using electricity and further promote some of their products.
The crackdown aims to bolster Kenya Power's revenue collection strategies and increase customer satisfaction.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta had argued that those found of vandalising electricity infrastructure would be charged with treason. Uhuru made those sentiments after the country suffered a nationwide blackout.
Justifying the directive, the former President indicated that such acts of vandalism translate to economic sabotage bringing the country’s activities to a standstill.
"We have seen different signboards being taken down, towers of our transmission lines coming down and we have also seen cases of sabotage, as in the case of Naivasha where people have intentionally unbolted some of our transmission lines to create chaos and havoc," Uhuru stated.
"The law is clear that these are acts of economic sabotage which falls as a Treasonable Act and the law is clear as to how you deal with treasonable acts and people who plunge the country into chaos for their own selfish needs," Uhuru added.
To protect critical infrastructure, President William Ruto directed the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to gazette the Water Police Unit.
