A major breakthrough in the fight against electricity theft has been achieved in Kirinyaga County, as five suspects were apprehended in a well-coordinated operation led by the Mt Kenya Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) security team.
The arrests, made in Kagio town, expose a growing underground network involved in illegal power connections and theft of vital electricity infrastructure.
According to Kirinyaga branch manager, Eng. Ruto Kipkorir, the operation followed weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering. Among those arrested is John Wareri, a notorious unlicensed electrician who had long evaded capture.
Wareri was found hiding in Kagio town and is suspected of interfering with transformer (TX) fuses, posing a grave risk to public safety and power reliability. He is set to face charges related to unauthorized electricity operations and energy-related offences.
Another key figure, Nelson Maina, the chairperson of the Kagio Electricians’ Welfare Group, was arrested for allegedly orchestrating illegal connections and stealing prepaid meters and Customer Interface Units (CIUs). His leadership position has raised serious concerns about the involvement of registered electricians in criminal activities.
In Kiamaciri village, David Mungai was apprehended with a wooden climber, safety belt, and various electrical tools believed to be used for illegal installations. His motorcycle was impounded as evidence.
Additionally, Jane Wangithi, a plot owner, and her tenant Ken Kathimba were found in possession of three prepaid meters suspected to be stolen. They are assisting with investigations at Kiamaciri Police Station.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira, speaking in Mwea, condemned the theft of KPLC equipment and urged the public to report suspicious activities to local offices. The crackdown reflects KPLC’s intensified efforts to root out power theft, which undermines revenue collection, endangers lives, and disrupts service delivery.
