A transformer vandalism mastermind was arrested after a multi-agency team led by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reined him in.
In a statement by Kenya Power on Monday, the mastermind was arrested at his house after a two-day search over rampant vandalism in the Mt Kenya counties of Nyeri and Murang'a.
On Saturday night, a man under instruction from the mastermind was arrested in Keria village, Murang'a County, while using a vehicle owned by the suspect.
The police indicated that upon interrogation, the vandal admitted that he was working for the mastermind. He was caught in the process of vandalising a transformer which he was to hand over to the mastermind.
The main suspect was picked up at his home in the Karugia area within Saba Saba, Murang'a County, and booked at Kenol Police Station.
"He was found in possession of a Kenya Power’s service cable upon a search at his house," read the statement in part.
The DCI officers were drawn from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) and were assisted by National Government Administration Officers (NGAO).
“I want to thank the DCI and NGAO officers for the swift action during the operations that we carried out over the weekend. 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 the danger of loss of life to members of the public,” noted Kenya Power acting Security Services Manager Paul Nyaga
“I ask members of the public to be watchful of energy infrastructure and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or Kenya Power office."
During the operation, the multi-agency security team also trailed and arrested 4 more suspects who are believed to be part of a larger syndicate driving vandalism of transformers and other electricity equipment within the counties of Murang’a and Nyeri.
A search at their homesteads in Gikondi and Mukurweini recovered copper windings that were obtained from vandalised transformers.
The arrests come a day after Kenya Power Nyeri Manager Duncan Machuka announced a power blackout in Nyeri and Laikipia counties.
He attributed the blackout to vandals who destroyed a transmission tower.
