Nyandarua residents have been asked to own and protect electricity transformers from vandals who have been dismantling the equipment and causing frequent blackouts in the area.
Kenya Power and lighting Company (KPLC) Regional Manager in charge of Central Rift, Kipkemoi Kibias said the transformers are public properties that should be protected by all.
He told the residents that once installed, the vital and expensive electricity machines belong to the communities they serve and not KPLC, further reiterating the need to jealously protect them.
Speaking in Gatondo location of Kipipiri Subcounty when he accompanied the area MP,Wanjiku Muhia during the launch of a Sh12 million Last Mile Connectivity Project, Kibias said Kenya Power suffers major losses when transformers and meters are valandalised.
"A transformer costs Sh1 million while one electricity meter is selling at Sh8,000, the vandals don’t care about the losses caused to the people and the company, acquiring another transformer may take time," he said.
He warned the public against people who remove transformer on claims that they are KPLC workers and clarified that there was no way the company would remove the good working infrastructure.
During the launch of the project which is one of the many similar programs under a campaign dubbed “Lighting Kipipiri” more than 400 homes of Gatondo and Gwa Gicharu villages were connected to power.
Kibias promised to ensure all residents of the two villages were connected adding that another 800 meters had been set aside for the area.
“KPLC personnel will camp here until the two villages are 100 per cent lit, those who will left out should have themselves to blame because the reason for omission can only be lack of proper land ownership documentations,” he said.
He added that designs for several other villages were ready for implementation and commended the area MP for her commitment in development and welfare of her constituents.
Muhia said other villages that were in the line-up for connectivity included Gita, Mihato, Ngatho, Mununga and Kirima.
She observed that less than 50 per cent of Kipipiri was connected, contrary to a previous report which was falsified and over-rated.
The MP said she had requested more than 1000 meters from KPLC adding that more areas will be connected in the next two years.
Muhia said Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) had eight projects in the sub-county which would help connect at least two wards of the four wards that make up Kipipiri Constituency.
A resident, Nancy Mwarangu said they have been using solar energy which is unreliable especially during rainy season.
Mwarangu who is also a a shopkeeper said she has been closing her business as early as 8:00pm due to lack for power.
