- MD and CEO Eng Joseph Siror said on Wednesday investigations revealed a link between vandalism and copper waste business.
- In the period between May and December 2022, he said, a total of 76 transformers worth Sh68 million were vandalised.
Image: FILE
Kenya Power has called for a total ban on copper exports and stringent action against rogue scrap metal dealers to curb rampant vandalism of power infrastructure.
In a statement on Wednesday, the utility firm said vandalism surged after the 2022 government ban on scrap metal was lifted, resulting in significant losses in transformers.
“Our investigations have revealed a link between vandalism and copper waste business,” MD and CEO Eng Joseph Siror said on Wednesday.
He said during the ban between January and May 2022, there were no vandalism cases of power infrastructure but the cases spiked immediately after the ban was lifted.
In the period between May and December 2022, he said, a total of 76 transformers worth Sh68 million were vandalised.
The MD added that in 2023, the company lost another 365 transformers worth Sh328 million while in 2024, vandals cost the company Sh78 million by destroying 78 transformers.
Siror said the losses constitute only the cost of installing new transformers.
“If you compute the cost of unserved energy, loss of business and possibly lives, the losses are in billions of Kenya shillings,” he said.
Siror made the revelation during a stakeholder engagement with representatives from the Consumer Federation of Kenya (Cofek), the Scrap Metal Council and scrap metal dealers.
The MD called for the vetting of all traders dealing in the scrap metal business including collectors, dealers, smelters and exporters.
Siror further called for joint inspection of business premises to ensure compliance with the law and implementation of the Scrap Metal Act and Scrap Metal Regulations that require dealers to file tax returns.
“We propose that all traders dealing in scrap metal, especially copper and aluminium, must declare their sources to ensure traceability and accountability,” he said.
These measures, Siror added, should be complemented by a more robust regulatory framework in the scrap metal trade to help weed out rogue elements who are direct beneficiaries of vandalism.
Meanwhile, the MD lauded provisions in the Energy Act, 2019 which prescribes a Sh5 million fine or a five-year jail term or both for perpetrators of vandalism of power infrastructure which he said has helped stem the cases.
The Act criminalises tempering with electricity installations, energy theft, vandalism and damage to streetlights and other electricity infrastructure.
Siror said the punitive penalties serve as a strong deterrent and underscore the collective responsibility amongst all Kenyans to protect shared resources.
He urged stakeholders to join forces with the utility firm in riding the industry of rogue elements who are driving demand for vandalism of power infrastructure.
“While many participants in the scrap metal industry are legitimate, a few unscrupulous dealers perpetuate this vice. We urge all stakeholders to join us in rooting out these elements to ensure a sustainable and reliable power supply for all Kenyans,” Siror said.