NAIROBI, Kenya, May 22 – A total of 78 transformers have already been vandalized in 2024, Kenya Power has announced, with a value of Sh78 million.
Speaking during a dialogue forum with scrap metal dealers today, KPLC managing director (MD) Joseph Siror said in 2023, 365 transformers were lost worth Sh328 million due to theft.
However, Siror says the losses don’t factor in installation charges, meaning the final cost may even be higher.
He adds that the act of vandalism leads to a huge loss to the economy and is unsustainable.
“While many of you here engage in legitimate business, a few unscrupulous dealers are responsible for the vice. We urge you to join us in rooting them out,” Siror said.
“The brazenness and contempt with which these crimes are committed are troubling and a blight on efforts to make the country a convenient place to do business.”
Siror said the act of vandalism causes unplanned outages and inconveniences customers.
This will pose a risk to human and animal lives as vandals leave power infrastructure exposed to the possibility of electrocution, the utility firm added.
“This is not only a deterrent for would-be vandals but also a strong statement that protecting our shared resources is a collective responsibility,” he said.
The MD commended stakeholders like the judiciary, the Kenya Police Service, and the public for bringing the perpetrator to justice.
He said they are intending to enhance collaboration with stakeholders in the scrap metal industry to help transition from a creative response to a more predictive one.
“It is imperative for us to to work together to combat this menace that is slowly but surely robbing Kenyans of access to affordable and reliable power supply,” Siror said.
Siror urged the public and stakeholders to be on the lookout for protecting power infrastructure assets, as the losses will ultimately be recovered from customers or taxpayers through increased tariffs or taxes.
