KPLC partners with DCI officers to protect electricity equipment

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 16-Kenya Power has partnered  with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to curb the  rising cases of vandalism of its equipment as well as protecting the electricity equipment.

In the partnership, DCI will attach 42 officers to work collaboratively with the utility provider’s security team and other relevant functions to stem vandalism, theft of electricity and fiber, as well as illegal encroachment of way leaves.

“We have witnessed a recent surge in cases of vandalism and illegal connections across the country leading to unplanned power outages that inconvenience our customers. The Company is working with various security agencies, including collaboration with the DCI, to tackle these illegal activities,” KPLC MD Joseph Siror said.

“We are confident that the partnership with the DCI will boost our capacity to proactively fight vandalism and other crimes through an intelligence-led approach,” he added.

KPLC sys it recorded a 46 percent growth in cases of transformer vandalism which affected 242 transformers compared to 165 units that were vandalized during the previous year.

On their part, DCI says it will support investigations as well as protecting KPLC installation.

“The DCI will continue supporting investigations and protecting the energy sector against criminal activities whenever we are called upon. Through partnerships such as the one we now have with Kenya Power, we will work collaboratively for purposes of following the money trail, especially among those handling stolen copper and oil from vandalized transformers, so that the masterminds of these activities are arrested and prosecuted,” DCI Deputy Director for Investigations Paul Wachira said.

Since July last year, a total of 1,026 people have been arrested across the country and prosecuted for various illegal activities within the electricity network according to DCI reports.

Of these, 472 cases relate to vandalism, theft of energy equipment and damage to energy infrastructure. Illegal connections and fraudulent consumption of electricity account for 320 while 33 people were arrested for way leave encroachment.