Machakos County Loses Ksh20m After 200 Electric Meters from Public Institutions Are Stolen or Vandalized

The Machakos Department of Energy has revealed that 200 electric meters from public institutions in the County have been stolen or vandalized.

Machakos County has lost millions of shillings after 200 electric meters were stolen or vandalised from public institutions.

This came after the County Department of Energy inspected institutions following complaints by residents over power outages.

According to Machakos County Chief Officer of Energy Simon Kirima, the department discovered that out of the 1800 County electrical meters, 200 were found to have been stolen and vandalised.

Kirima said that some of the meters were found in residential buildings and private businesses yet the county was paying for their electricity.

"We have found this residential household using county meters, and its balance is reading 205,951, while the county has so far paid 1.6 million for it, yet we are not using it,” he said.

The director for Energy Newton Musyoka gave a seven-day ultimatum to the culprits hoarding the meters to surrender or face legal consequences.

Musyoka further said that county officials in collaboration with Kenya Power are in the process of tracking down the meters.

The Chief officer, therefore, urged the Machakos County Residents to refrain from vandalism, warning that anyone found with the meters would be accused of destruction and government property and electric theft.

Vandals caught sabotaging electric infrastructure in the country risk up to 10 years in prison or fines of up to Ksh5 million.

The incident comes months after the Ministry of Energy, in a strategic plan covering the next three years, said that it would be enhancing the security of key infrastructure.

The ministry noted that it would conduct physical inspections and the use of drones to prevent vandalism on electric infrastructure.

Furthermore, the Ministry noted that it would also be undertaking various reforms at Kenya Power to enhance its efficiency and operations.