Vandalism of transformers leaves Murang’a villages in darkness

Murang’a

Thursday, August 3, 2023

KNA by Bernard Munyao

Increased vandalism of transformers in parts of Kigumo Sub County of Murang’a have left several villages in darkness for months.

Residents especially from areas in Kahumbu ward have decried staying without electricity for months.

The residents complained power outages have also affected service delivery in some local public facilities including health centres saying they are forced to seek medical care from hospitals located in neighbouring sub counties.

The locals who spoke to KNA claimed that there is a gang which has specialized in vandalizing and draining coolant from transformers thus leaving residents without power supply.

On Friday last week, the residents said they were forced to chase three men who were attempting to access a transformer at Gatunduguru market at around 2pm.

The trio who masqueraded as employees of Kenya Power (KP) company could not produce any documents to prove their identity forcing the locals to chase them away.

The residents further accused employees of KP for delay in repairing some faulty transformers in the area.

A local resident, James Karanja revealed that Gathimaini dispensary has been without electricity for more than three months after the transformer blew up.

“We appeal to KP to help us get power back. As residents we are also on watch out to protect the transformers from being vandalized by crooks,” said Karanja.

A community leader, Mary Mumbi observed that draining of coolants from the transformers have caused faulty equipment.

She said the vandals are interested with coolants and copper wires from the transformers saying the trend has subjected locals to spend nights in darkness.

“The problem needs concerted efforts from the locals, security people and the KP to stop this menace. Power is very crucial in delivery of services and as we speak, those deal welding have not been working,” she added.

Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro admitted that there have been power blackouts especially in Gathimaini and Kimotho villages where the locals have been in darkness for several months due to faulty transformers.

He noted the blackouts apart from posing security risks, they have affected learning in local schools.

“We had a discussion with officials of KP and there is an assurance that the affected transformers will be replaced. The agreement is that the equipment in the affected areas will be replaced before a period of less than two weeks,” said Munyoro.

Kahumbu MCA Chefman Njoroge on his part blames staff of KP for failure to repair or replace the faulty transformers when notified.

“Lack of electricity has grounded operations in local health centres since drugs and vaccines which need to be kept in refrigerators have gone bad. We appeal to Kenya Power to listen to the cries of local residents and restore power supply,” remarked Njoroge.

Murang’a County Police Commander David Mathiu appealed to members of the public to report the criminal elements in the villages for action.

“The matter pertaining to vandalism of the electrical equipment is being pursued as we ask locals to make reports of the people they suspect to be behind the crime,” said Mathiu.

Courtesy ; K. N. A