Transformer vandal to serve 18 years in prison

Nairobi, January 14, 2019……. Two notorious vandals in Uasin Gishu were on Friday sentenced to 11years and 18years of imprisonment respectively for vandalising transformers and stealing up to 820 litres of transformer oil.

Wesley Rotich and James Ngondoli who are currently serving sentences of 10 years and 17 years respectively were found guilty of vandalising a 100KVA transformer and stealing 420 litres of transformer oil in Kapseret area on the 4 and 5 June 2017.

The two were sentenced to serve 14 months each by an Eldoret Court, thus increasing their sentences to 11 years and 18 years respectively.

The vandals were serving a previous sentence passed on 8th February 2018. Wesley was imprisoned for vandalising a 200KVA transformer worth KShs.2.5 million while James was arrested on 11th October 2017 at Jua Kali area in Eldoret for stealing a transformer worth KShs.2 million, copper windings and 400 litres of transformer oil.

Kenya Power’s Security Services Manager Maj. Geoffery Kigen (Rtd.) welcomed the speedy prosecution saying the two criminals were the master minds of a group that vandalised electricity distribution equipment in Uasin Gishu on several occasions which greatly destabilized the quality of power supply to customers in the area.

He said that vandals not only inconvenience customers but also cost the Company revenue that could be otherwise directed to building electricity distribution infrastructure but is instead used to replace vandalized assets.

“I am pleased that through working with the Kenya Police and other security stakeholders, the number of vandalised transformers has reduced from 133 in the previous financial year to 100. We urge the public to support our efforts to curb this menace and report any suspicious activities to Kenya Power offices or to the nearest police station,” he said.  

Kenya Power has sustained surveillance on the network through countrywide operations to crackdown vandalism and illegal connections. Through these efforts, there has been an 81.3% decline in cases of vandalism countrywide.

 

For more information, contact:

Kenya Power Corporate Communications Dept.

Tel. 0711 031 975

E-mail CorporateComms@kplc.co.ke