Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft and resale of electricity infrastructure in the Manyatta Kona Maji area of Kisumu County.
The suspects, identified as Stephen Bala Magak and Frederick Odhiambo Owino, are accused of receiving stolen electrical components from vandals and reselling them to individuals involved in illegal electricity connections.
Kenya Power confirmed that equipment worth approximately sh.3 million was recovered during the operation.
The items included: Six steady bars, One cross arm, Three rolls of stay wire (approx. 100 metres), 146 shackle insulators, Around 20 metres of high-tension (HT) aluminium conductors , 23 rolls of low-voltage (LV) aluminium conductors (approx. 1,000 metres in total)
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Geoffrey Kigen, the utility’s Security Services Manager, said the suspects are in custody and urged the public to assist in safeguarding the national power infrastructure.
“The two suspects are already in custody. We call upon members of the public to work with us in reporting and protecting the same infrastructure that powers their businesses and lives,” said Kigen.
He added that Kisumu County and the larger Western Kenya region have been experiencing power interruptions, some of which are directly linked to infrastructure vandalism and illegal power connections.
Kenya Power continues to warn that such criminal activities not only disrupt electricity supply but also pose serious safety risks to the public.
