A suspect connected to the spate of transformer vandalism in Kiambu County was arrested.
Confirming the arrest, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) noted that the suspect, Denis Karanja, was found with a cache of suspected stolen Kenya Power properties believed to have been vandalized within the Makongeni area, Kiambu County.
Detectives believe that the suspect is part of a wider gang of vandals who lurk in poorly lit streets, before vandalizing transformers for the coveted oil and cables.
During the arrest, detectives recovered 140 litres of transformer oil, pole climbers, 9 sets of customer interface units, a winch, a KPLC apron, assorted transformer bolts and nuts, a roll of copper cable, a handheld drill, ropes, a sack of transformer laminators and a Tuktuk.
The suspect is currently being held by the detectives pending arraignment.
“Thika West detectives are holding a suspected transformer vandal in whose home was found a cache of suspected stolen properties of the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), believed to have been vandalized within Makongeni area of Kiambu County.
“Denis Karanja, 27, (suspect) is believed to be part of a wider gang of vandals who lurk in poorly lit streets, before vandalizing transformers for the coveted oil and cables, consequently leaving the local wananchi in darkness for weeks,” DCI said in a statement.
TRANSFORMER VANDAL ARRESTED
Thika West detectives are holding a suspected transformer vandal in whose home was found a cache of suspected stolen properties of the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), believed to have been vandalized within Makongeni area of Kiambu County. pic.twitter.com/Ns47FB1i26
— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) December 18, 2023
In a separate update, detectives confirmed the arrest of one suspect behind the spate of transformer vandalism within Nairobi’s Enterprise Road.
The detectives recovered 1020 kilogrammes of copper cables during the arrest made on November 29.
“1,020kg of copper cables at a godown in Nairobi’s Enterprise Rd and arrested one suspect, following increased cases of transformer vandalism, a risky illicit affair that has left scores electrocuted. Search for other known accomplices in the area is ongoing,” DCI added.
