Hunt on for two thugs who vandalised SGR power supply in Makindu

Detectives are looking for two thugs who were captured on CCTV, vandalizing Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) transformers.

The two armed with spanners were vandalizing a key power supply unit in Makindu, when a signal was received by detectives manning the SGR system remotely.

DCI director George Kinoti said a contingent of officers based at Makindu and Emali police stations was dispatched to arrest the thugs, who immediately dashed to nearby thickets on noticing the beaming lights of a fast approaching police land cruiser.

"Unbeknownst to the thugs, the transformers fitted with a round-the-clock surveillance system had already sent their images to our command centre," Kinoti said.

"As detectives profile the suspects to suffer the consequences of their actions, we wish to inform the public that the railway is a critical national infrastructure under 24/7 surveillance."

Kinoti said vandalising or tampering its property attracts charges related to Economic Sabotage and Terrorism.

"Contact us on our toll free line 0800 722 203 and report anyone vandalizing railway property for action," he said.

Last month, a scrap metal dealer police believe has a hand in the vandalism of SGR and in process causing major disruptions of the service was arrested.

The latest delay of the services was on November 22 where a train from Mombasa was delayed for more than an hour over vandalism.

Suspect Michael Mbevi was arrested at his scrap metal store in Kinyambu, Mtito Andei as gauge blocks were on the verge of being loaded into a lorry.