Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the vandalism and collapse of a transmission tower along the Naivasha-Juja 132kV double-circuit line.
The suspects, identified as Peter Njuguna Richu and Gad Mwiruri Njine, were arrested in Mai Mahiu during an intelligence-led operation involving Kenya Power’s security team and police.
The arrests follow the collapse of Transmission Tower No. 1052 at about 3am on Sunday, September 20.
The incident disrupted electricity supply through the Ruaraka Substation, affecting customers connected to the network.
Kenya Power said its teams rerouted electricity through alternative substations and restored supply to all affected customers by 4:30am.
A search of the suspects’ homes in Mai Mahiu reportedly led to the recovery of tower bracing components, spanners, hacksaw blades and other tools believed to have been used in the vandalism.
According to Kenya Power, the suspects have admitted involvement in the vandalism and provided information on other suspected networks involved in the theft and sale of stolen electricity infrastructure.
The information is also said to have pointed investigators to suspected buyers and other networks operating in Nairobi, Kiambu and neighbouring counties.
The arrests could help investigators establish the wider network behind the increasing cases of vandalism targeting Kenya’s electricity infrastructure.
Kenya Power had earlier said items recovered at the scene of the collapsed tower indicated that the suspected vandals were present when the structure came down.
The utility has described vandalism as a growing threat to the country’s power supply, saying cases increased by 200 per cent over the three months preceding the Naivasha-Juja incident.
During the period, Kenya Power reported that 37 transformers had also been vandalised.
The company has warned that vandalism not only causes power interruptions but also exposes members of the public to danger and leads to major financial losses through repairs and replacement of damaged equipment.
Kenya Power has urged the public to report suspicious activities around transmission towers, transformers and other electricity installations to the police or the utility.
Investigations are continuing as police seek to identify other people suspected to be involved in the vandalism and the market for stolen power infrastructure.
