Following the rise in cases of transformer vandalism and theft of electric wires in Kisii County, Residents of Nyaoke ward in Kitutu Chache South have resolved to prayers.
The prayers were held at Nyanguru Catholic church so as to pray for the thieves who have vandalizing transformers thus leaving the locals in darkness.
The ward representative John Amisi who joined the prayers urged other lawmakers in the county to also engage in prayers so that the nuisance can be put to an end while challenging the local to be vigilant in the fight
“It is sad that while the government wants every family to have electricity, other people are hell-bent to vandalize the equipment and leave residents in darkness,” Amisi said.
According to the Kenya Power Security officer in charge of South Nyanza Mang’era Moronge, transformer vandalism and theft of electric wires is rampant in the country.
He warned the perpetrators that they will be arrested and prosecuted.
Moronge said that those who will be found with KPLC wires and equipment will be fined Ksh1million or sentenced to 1 year in jail or both, stressing the theft was hampering connectivity of power in the area.
“Vandals steal wires and meters and sell them to unsuspecting buyers. I urge residents not to buy them and instead follow the right channels to get connected to electricity,” Moronge stated.
He further urged residents to buy meters from the company and report those who were selling stolen meters so that action can be taken against them.
He appealed to residents to hire qualified and licensed electricians to do wiring in their buildings and shun quacks that do shoddy work and risk their lives.
He further cautioned vandals against playing with the transformers which have high voltage power warning that they risked being electrocuted.
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