The government has nabbed 12 tonnes of vandalised electrical equipment in a warehouse at Industrial Area.
The Sh15.4 million worth of vandalised material was recovered following a tip-off from the public.
"Acting on a tip-off, our energy police unit together with the Kenya Power security raided one of the go-downs and we were able to arrest and confiscate 11.86 tonnes of copper,” Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said.
"Last year alone we exported Sh7 billion worth of copper items from 13 licenced copper exporters' scrap metal dealers. So the big question that we are asking ourselves is we are asking ourselves is we are not a copper mining country but we are still exporting copper worth Sh7 billion."
Wachira warned scrap metal dealers to avoid dealing with energy infrastructure materials specifically copper and aluminium.
On December 19, 2023, Kenya Power and Lighting Company warned Kenyans against any attempt to vandalise electric connections as it was punishable by law.
Kenya Power cautioned that vandalism of transformers, power towers, power conductors (cables), poles, meters and theft of electricity were all crimes punishable under the Energy Act 2019.
The lighting company said vandalism causes unplanned outages thereby inconveniencing customers and the general public.
"Vandalism of transformers, poles and conductors also poses a risk to human and animal lives as vandals leave power infrastructure exposed, leading to a possibility of electrocution," KPLC said.
The lighting company said anyone found involved in the mentioned criminal activities would be liable to a fine of not less than Sh5 million.
