Detectives from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) have arrested a man identified as Japhet Kirimi, also known as “Senator”, for masterminding an illegal underground power connection that caused massive financial losses to the utility company.
According to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kirimi and his accomplice, Ibrahim Gituma, allegedly ran a secret electricity supply system in Igembe North and South.
The illegal network powered more than 21 boreholes used mainly for irrigating miraa farms in Mpinda village and surrounding areas including Kabuitu, Kanyakine, Muthucine and Mangala.
The network was not metered and was illegally connected to the KPLC grid. Detectives say the operation damaged about 14 transformers in the area due to unregulated power use.
The cost of replacing the damaged transformers is estimated at Sh21 million.
In addition, KPLC lost around Sh90.7 million in revenue over the four years the boreholes operated illegally.
The total loss linked to the two suspects is therefore estimated at Sh111.7 million.
Kirimi was arrested at Mpinda village after a manhunt, and DCI officers said the suspect is currently in custody. His accomplice, Gituma, is still being pursued. Both will be charged in court.
“The suspects are currently in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment,” the DCI stated.
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