Poor electricity connectivity in Nyandarua County has been linked to high cases of transformer theft in the area, Kenya Power Business Manager, Engineer Joseph Kariuki, has said.

Engineer Kariuki said that Nyandarua County had been ranked number two after Nairobi in transformer theft in Central Rift calling for concerted effort to curb the alarming vice.

He lamented that resources meant to be utilized to connect more customers with electricity in the County were now redirected to replace stolen transformers noting that over 19 transformers had been stolen in the last year.

“We have encountered loss of revenue and customer dissatisfaction through loss of transformers which is more worrying, vandalism has been in most cases noticed to be in urban areas where people reside,” remarked Kariuki appealing to the security team and the locals to curb theft.

However while affirming their support after an inclusive meeting with the security committee, Nyandarua County Commissioner Mr. Boaz Cherutich said that the government has launched a crackdown on illegal scrap metal dealers warning those who would be found engaging in this black market would face the law.

He noted that parts of Rurii, Museveni and Kasuku were on the spot for stealing of transformers noting that the government was committed to deploying more security officers in the area to ensure that they brought down the alarming cases of theft.

“I urge the members of the public through the community policing and Nyumba Kumi intiative to be vigilant and report cases of vandalism. It is however the duty of the Government to ensure that electricity reached every household,” noted Cherutich.

He however acknowledged the efforts that had been made by the government in the last mile connectivity with all primary schools in the County now connected with electricity easing the digital learning programme (DLP).

He also noted that a multiagency team will be going around the county to crack down on unlicensed traders dealing in Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).

In the same event, Nyandarua County Police Commander Dr. Gideon Ngumi warned people of ill will that curtail electricity connectivity through transformer theft risked a fine of over Sh 1million.

“I am convinced that this illegal business will come to an end, if other areas have come to an end why not in Nyandarua,” insisted Ngumi.

His Critical Infrastructure Police Unit counterpart, John Mwaura noted that more officers would be deployed to man the electricity infrastructure, warning cartels that their days were numbered.

BY KNA.