Suspect of KPLC transformer vandalism arrested

Thika west, 

Monday, 18 December, 2023 

McCreadie Andias 

Detectives from the Thika west Unit have arrested a suspect in connection to transformer vandalism and theft of properties belonging to the Kenya Power and Lightning Company (KPLC).

Daniel Karanja (27) was found at his home in Possession of stolen properties of the (KPLC), believed to have been vandalized within Makongeni area of Kiambu County.

The items include a 140L of transformer oil, pole climbers, 9 sets of customer interface unit, a winch, a KPLC apron, assorted transformer bolts and nuts, a roll of copper cable, a handheld drill, ropes, a sack of transformer laminators and a Tuktuk Reg no. KTWA 486Z formed part of the recoveries.

The suspect is believed to be part of a criminal gang behind vandalism cases involving transformer cables and oil. 

The Kenya Power and Lightning Company recently announced a Partnership with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to combat theft and vandalism involving KPLC equipment. 

In November 29, detectives seized over 1,020kg of copper cables and other assorted properties believed to belong to KPLC from a scrap metal dealer along Industrial area. 

Since then the Kenya Power - DCI collaboration has made significant efforts in combating power vandalism.