Power firm loses Sh115 to vandalism

By WINSLEY MASESE

Kenya Power and Lighting Company has incurred losses amounting to Sh115 million due to vandalism.

Between July last year and June 2010, 28 suspects were prosecuted.

KPLC officer in charge of Western Kenya Benjamin Ofire said the losses include loss of transformers, siphoning of oil and theft of conductor wires.

Averagely, the company loses 3 transformers per week and each cost Sh500000. Since

January, the company has lost 16 transformers.

Mr Ofire spoke when police in Kisumu unearthed a syndicate in which six transformers belonging to KPLC were found dismantled.

One suspect was arrested and would help with investigations.

Nyanza PC Francis Mutie, PPO Njagi Njue and a team of KPLC officers visited the scene along Kibuye market.

access electricity

Mr Mutie warned the public, saying the Government will take a stern action suspects.

"I command the PCIO to take action and investigate the cases to the bitter end," Mutie said.

The PC said those behind the vandalism were enemies of development saying electrification is an expensive investment.

He said: "The resources vandalised here should instead be used to expand the company’s operations so that more Kenyans can access electricity."

He read a riot act to those involved, saying the new constitution would not tolerate such crimes.

"This must stop not only in the province but elsewhere since we cannot develop with vandalism of the electricity equipment," he said.

Ofire said vandalism was common in the region in the last financial year, starting from July 2009 and ending June 2010.

He said communities should help fight these cases by raising alarm.

Mutie also urged those with information on suspected vandals to provide the lead. He assured them of protection.