Two arrested over theft of Kenya Power cables, meters in Migori

Two suspected vandals were on Saturday evening arrested and items belonging to Kenya Power recovered at Utoma village, Alego Central sub location in Awendo.

Area Assistant chief Ezakiel Oware said the suspects, who were in a team of six, were busted by locals while the four others managed to escape.

Mr. Oware said one of the suspected vandals was already on top of the poll when the residents became suspicious and ambushed them.

He said the two suspects were handed over to officers at Awendo Police Station and are to be arraigned in court on Monday.

The area assistant chief said they suspect that the vandals are part of a crime syndicate that has been dismantling transformers and stealing power meters in the region.

The arrest comes a few days after a transformer at Yago in Awendo Sub County was vandalized.

In an earlier interview with Radio Ramogi, Kenya Power manager for Migori — George Nyambare — said 15 transformers have been vandalized in the county in the past four months.

Mr. Nyambare said the theft of transformers has undermined power supply in the county.

He urged the members of the public to work closely with Kenya Power to protect the transformers.

In the past one month, Kenya Power seized over 600 power meters stolen from other counties.

The ongoing crackdown followed incessant complaints Migori residents about theft of power meters in the county.