We'll electrify transformers to send vandals to hell — Energy PS

Vandals beware.

When you try to vandalise a transformer, steal oil and copper wire, you may be shocked, or fatally electrocuted.

That's what Energy PS Gordon Kihalangwe told residents on Friday.

He spoke at Gakanga area in Kieni West subcounty during the launch of the ‘adopt a forest' initiative. The ministry has adopted 150ha (370 acres) at Gakanga area of the Aberdare forest for rehabilitation.

He threatened to have the transformers secretly electrified so vandals can be sent "straight to hell".

“You will never know when we will energise that transformer and when you try to vandalise it, that is when you will know,” he said.

The problem of transformers vandalism is countrywide, he said.

On Friday alone, he said, four transformers were vandalised — two in Kiambu, one in Homa Bay and another in Migori.

People who vandalise transformer to steal oil and cables are the same people who steal or rob people in their homes when there are power blackouts, he said.

He called on members of the public to report suspected vandals.

PS  Kihalangwa also directed Kenya Power to relocate all electricity poles from the edges of tarmac to avert accidents.

Kihalangwa said the poles are a great risk to road users and asked KPLC manager of Mt Kenya region, Phineas Marete, to ensure the directive is implemented.

He said he recently was hearing poles were erected on roads before coming across several of them in them in Kieni West in Nyeri county.

The PS said he encountered them as he drove along the Mweiga-Amboni-Endarasha road in Kieni West.

He said poles were at Mweiga town junction, Amboni and Majengo shopping centres, and just at the edge of the tarmac.

“I think that was just an example of how we have not  done our work as expected," he said.

KPLC officials swiftly started removing some of the posts on Friday.

Kihalangwa also warned people who who have made illegal electricity connections and told those who have no meters to apply for them.

These people are contributing to high electricity tariffs, he said.

He advised residents to ensure  he people they engage to connect electricity in their homes are registered to avoid accidents caused by faulty power connections.

People masquerading as KPLC technicians have connected electricity in people’s homes, he added.

“Make sure  in your homes you have the right power and the right meter,” he added.

The PS said this will ensure that the Energy ministry is working toward reducing power tariffs.

“Tariffs will be reduced in many ways, including by ensuring we reduce commercial losses. But this can only be achieved through your help in  ensuring people stop consuming electricity without meters,” he told residents.

Kihalangwa said commercial losses also cause high tariffs.

The PS also called on KPLC officials to be service-oriented and act promptly when they receive reports of power blackouts, theft of transformers or any electricity faults.

“You do not need to dilly dally for eight hours and respond late at night so that you can claim overtime,” he said.

In September, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a two-thirds reduction of power tariffs by December.

Kihalangwa said a task force is investigating high tariffs so the ministry can bring them down.

(Edited by V. Graham)