Cables vandalised before five villages connected to power

@robertomollo3

Hundreds of South Kanyamwa residents in Ndhiwa constituency have urged Kenya Power to connect them to power after vandals damaged and stole electrical cables.

The residents of Pap Alego, Kasuda, Ranjira, Ndere and Lwanda villages appealed to the company to restore electricity.

Kenya Power had erected poles in preparation to connect homes to electricity before the Wednesday night vandalism and theft.

The residents led by Ogina Nyabola said they had completed wiring their homes as they waited for Kenya power to connect them.

“Some of us sold cows to enable us get connected to electricity. It is an investment we have been waiting for a long time," Nyabola said.

The villagers are worried they will continue be in darkness and said the thieves didn't want villages to have power.

They said the programme of connecting them to electricity started two years ago and had reached its final stage before it collapsed. 

“We’re asking Kenya Power and security officers investigate and arrest people behind the vandalism and theft," Nyabola added.

They asked Kenya Power to repair the vandalised section as soon as possible.

Nyabola said crime may increase if Kenya Power does not fix the situation and police don't arrest the vandals.

“We are wondering how some people managed to climb the electricity poles and take away the cables. They must have some skills in electrical issues,” he added.

South Kanyamwa location chief Sylvester Onyango said they have reported the matter to Ndhiwa police for investigation.

The administrator said a transformer installed to boost power to the villages also developed a fault.

“We reported to Kenya Power that a transformer they installed  was also leaking. The issues should be addressed with urgency,” Onyango said.

(Edited by V. Graham)