Man killed in botched transformer theft

A middle-aged man was burnt to death Monday night by irate residents as he tried to vandalize a transformer at Gichocho area in Ndumberi, Kiambu County.

In a statement to newsrooms, Kenya Power’s acting Security Services Manager, Geoffrey Kigen, said criminals have taken advantage of unguarded transformers to vandalize them.

“We are trying to secure the transformers by placing them above live wires where vandals cannot access. We are also working with villagers to find the criminals and so far they have been very cooperative,” he said.

He also noted that vandalism of electricity distribution equipment is among the leading factors undermining power supply to customers in addition to reducing productivity in industries.

Three suspects managed to escape during the incident.

Cases of criminals vandalizing transformers have risen in the past few years.

Last month, a man was hospitalised with serious injuries as he tried to vandalise a transformer along the border of Kenya and Tanzania in Migori County.

The suspect, identified as Jayalo Okelo, was in the company of three others who managed to escape.

Reports say the four had crossed the border into the neighbouring country to vandalise a transformer.