Written by Were Kelly
NAIROBI – A Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer was among three people arrested over the weekend for vandalizing critical underground power infrastructure that supplies electricity to major parts of Nairobi.
The arrests were made on Saturday night after the suspects were caught red-handed vandalizing high-voltage underground power cables near Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
The damaged cables serve as the primary power supply to Ragati and Nairobi West substations, which provide electricity to several key areas including Upper Hill, Kenyatta National Hospital, Community area, South C, Nairobi West, Maddaraka, parts of South B, and Industrial Area, as well as portions of Langata road, Ngong estate, Mbagathi Hospital and KEMRI.
The three suspects have been identified as Thomas Mutua, Joseph Kyalo and Dennis Mbíthi Nzioki.
Nzioki, who works as a police officer attached to the DCI, was among a group of 10 men armed with crude weapons who were allegedly vandalizing the 66kV cables.
The suspects were apprehended and booked at the Capitol Hill police station.
During the arrest, Kenya Power’s security team recovered five meters of already vandalized 66kV underground cable, along with confiscated tools including four hoes, two spades and two machetes – equipment apparently used in the vandalism operation.
Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror expressed serious concern about the incident, emphasizing the company’s commitment to maintaining heightened surveillance of electrical infrastructure to prevent such destructive acts.
“Vandalism of power infrastructure has continued to pose a serious risk to public safety while disrupting electricity supply to homes and businesses,” Dr. Siror stated.
“It is unfortunate that, as we work to supply reliable and safe electricity to our customers, a few people are involved in vandalism and other illegal activities that compromise the safety of the network.”
The executive warned that Kenya Power will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to pursue legal action against those involved in such crimes, while ensuring perpetrators face the full force of the law.
Kenya Power has urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity near electrical installations to the nearest police station, any Kenya Power office, or through the company’s USSD Code *977#.
The three suspects remain in custody as investigations continue into the full extent of the vandalism network and any potential accomplices.
