The Kenya power company is appealing to Siaya County residents’ support to curb rising vandalism of power infrastructure installations in the area.
According to the company’s Siaya county branch manager, Calvin Jagongo, the rate at which electricity cables and transformers are being vandalised in the region was alarming, hence the need for concerted efforts to stop the vice.
“As a company, we are ready to work closely with the public and the national government administrative officers to enhance vigilance against vandals targeting electric infrastructure,” said Jagongo who led a team of Kenya Power officials in inspecting the infrastructure and later addressed a public baraza at Tingare trading centre, Ugunja subcounty.
He said that the multi-stakeholder approach was the best way to combat theft of electricity installations in the region.
Addressing the public baraza held at Tingare trading centre, the coordinator of the rural electrification programme in Ugunja constituency, Nicholas Gwadi appealed to the public to volunteer information that would lead to the arrest of criminals who interfere with public infrastructure especially electric installation.
North Uholo location chief Gerald Opondo said the National Government Administrative Officers in the area were ready to support the company in the war against vandals.
Opondo said that they will sensitise the public on the need to protect the critical infrastructure and apprehend those who interfere with them.
Area residents, led by Martabel Ogunde and Vincent Asoma blamed the increased cases of vandalism on the poor response by security agencies whenever an issue is reported.
The public baraza heard that Ulaga, Luoka, Tingare and Lolwe areas have, in the past one month, been hit by vandalism, exposing the residents to prolonged blackouts.
Last month, the energy cabinet secretary, Opiyo Wandayi expressed disappointment over the rising cases of vandalism targeting electricity infrastructure and urged Kenyans to join the war against vandals.
“It is regrettable that while the government is doing its best to serve wananchi by installing critical infrastructure using a lot of money, those targeted to benefit do not do so because of criminals,” said Wandayi during the launch of a rural electrification project in North Gem ward, Siaya county.
Wandayi said anybody engaging in vandalism of critical infrastructure must be dealt with ruthlessly in accordance with the law and urged the police and the national government administration officers to help deal with the menace.
“We must identify, apprehend and hand them over to the police to deal with them,” said the CS.
By Philip Onyango
