Police in Kitui County have arrested four suspects allegedly involved in vandalising Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) infrastructure, coming roughly three months after an incident was reported along Nairobi’s Mombasa Road.
According to the National Police Service (NPS), officers on patrol along the Kamutei–Ndithini–Munguni Road in Ikutha Sub-County intercepted a Mitsubishi Canter lorry loaded with 26 KPLC cables and 40 clamps.
Two hacksaws believed to have been used in the crime were also recovered.
The suspects were taken to Ikutha Police Station and remain in custody pending arraignment.
The lorry and exhibits have been secured as evidence. NPS described the offence as economic sabotage and urged the public to report suspicious activities.
The arrests come after a June 8 operation in Nairobi where police apprehended three suspects—including a police officer—caught digging up copper cables near Nyayo Stadium along Mombasa Road. Several others fled during that raid, which followed a public tip-off.
The Service reiterated its commitment to taking firm action against all offenders and urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.
In May, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi condemned a wave of vandalism and sabotage targeting electricity infrastructure, describing the acts as tragic and unacceptable.
Wandayi expressed disappointment over the destruction of critical infrastructure, including the siphoning of oil from transformers, the cutting of electricity wires, and even the felling of electric poles.
He termed the incidents as deliberate sabotage rather than petty theft.
“This is more than being a thief. This is outright sabotage,” he said, adding that some people are cutting wires, siphoning transformer oil, and bringing down electricity poles.
The CS said it was shocking that while the government is working hard to bring development, like electricity, to the people, a few individuals are busy destroying it.
Wandayi urged national government officials present, including administrative officers from the DCC's office, to assistant chiefs and the police to act swiftly and ensure those behind the vandalism are arrested and prosecuted.
