Vandals raid 110 Kenya Power transformers worth Ksh137m

President William Ruto has revealed that 110 transformers belonging to Kenya Power were vandalized in the 12 months to August.

The transformers are estimated to be worth Ksh137 million and are usually vandalized by criminals for their oil and metal parts for sale as scrap. President Ruto made this revelation during his State of National Security annual report which he submitted to Parliament last week.

The Head of State revealed that the vandalism of Kegati Sub Station belonging to the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) was particularly costly. This is because it led to a massive power blackout that affected the entire region.

110 transformers valued at approximately Ksh137,000,000.00 were vandalized across the country. For instance, vandalism of Kegati Sub Station in Kisii County was unprecedented, plunging the whole region in darkness

President Ruto however said a number of measures are being taken by the relevant agencies to tackle the issue of vandalism of transformers. These measures include enhanced surveillance of energy installations, enhanced capacity of the Energy Police Unit, relocation of transformers to more secure locations and enforcing a ban on copper exports.

Others include enhanced investigations on reported incidents, repairs of vandalized infrastructure, and sensitization of local communities on the importance of power lines and associated equipment. The government also plans to partner with them to secure power installations.

The government commits to upscale the power systems and infrastructure to ensure less power interruptions; continue with sensitization of the local communities; and fast-track finalization of the Scrap Metal Act amendment.

president william ruto

Vandalism has been a growing menace on public infrastructure including power lines, transformers, road guard rails, among others. These parts often ending up at scrap metal dealers while others are smuggled out of the country.

Kenya Power has lamented over the end of the 2022 five-month ban on scrap metal dealership, revealing that the ban had stopped vandalism on its facilities.

“Our investigations have revealed a direct link between vandalism and the copper waste business. For example, between January and May 2022, when the government banned scrap metal dealing, we had zero cases of vandalism,” said Kenya Power Managing Director Dr Joseph Siror in May.

Kenya Power says it is currently welding transformer unit bases on channels, installing transformer units above high voltage lines and installing alarm systems on transformers to curb vandalism. It is also switching from oil-filled to dry-type transformer units, using aluminum transformers, and extensive intelligence gathering as part of fresh efforts to reduce the menace.

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