Police bust water pipe theft racket in Nyanza

Rongo, Kenya - Police have unearthed a racket involving the stealing of water pipes from water project sites in Rongo Sub-County.

A lorry full of pipes was intercepted by the public as the driver tried to find his way out of the town on Friday.

The Rongo Town Water Project that was initiated four years ago and was expected to be fully operational in 2014 stalled without any explanations from the contractor.

Rongo OCPD Thomas Ngeiwa said he suspected foul play and promised thorough investigations to establish the motive of the pipe thieves.

"We were alerted about suspicious activity by members of the community where the project is being implemented and immediately sent officers who found the lorry had already left. They chased it and rounded up the driver as two other suspects escaped," said Mr Ngeiwa.