Five villages without power in Kiambu after thieves cart away 20 transformers

The thieves stole over 20 transformers in Ndeiya, Kiambu County. [George Njunge, Standard]

Keige Njenga, one of those adversely affected, urged Kenya Power to diverse ways that will deter thieves from stealing the transformers.

"Kenya Power is to blame for not fortifying the transformers, which should be fastened tightly," said the businessman.

Michael Chege from Micobo said that the mode of operation by the thieves reveals highly knowledgeable people. "Not every Tom, Dick and Harry can climb a power pole, especially the three-phase power lines to get a transformer; Kenya Power should come clean on this," said Chege.

Another villager, David Karanja, said that he uses electricity to prepare fodder for his dairy cows and sheep. Lack of power means he will do the work manually, a task he fears might lead to less production.

"I wish Kenya Power would fix this problem by having proactive measures put in place, they could even come up with an alarm system or weld up the transformers otherwise this is now economic sabotage," he said.