Kenya Power have cracked the whip on estates and business centres in Mombasa that have illegal connections starting with Bangladesh slums in Changamwe.
In a statement to the media, the Coast Regional Manager Hicks Waso said at least 20 per cent of total revenue collected is lost due to illegal power connections by some residents.
“In collaboration with the police, the company is carrying out operations in making sure that we eliminate illegal connections, by-passing of meters and theft of our equipment,” he said.
The Energy Act 2017 suggested a stiffer minimum fine of Sh500, 000 of homes and businesses that have illegal power connections or a jail term of up to one year.
Waso noted that illegal power connections pose danger not only to the culprits but also to the beneficiaries.
“Illegal power connections have been blamed for causing outages and undermining the quality of power supply and also denying the firm revenue,” he said.
The manager said after power disconnection, the company will offer legal connections and rectifications of faulty installations.
The power man also warned home owners against use of unauthorized electricians. He also asked power consumers to be keen not to make payment to conmen who pose as power officials saying all payments and purchases should be made, and receipts for the same obtained at any of Kenya Power banking halls, or through appointed agents by the company.
In Mombasa County, the company targets residential places and business centers during the inspection of illegal connections and rectifying of the same after disconnections.
“We are planning on legalizing all the unauthorized power connections during this crackdown. We will also put proper infrastructure to improve on power supply,” he added.
Bangladesh slums carry a population of about 7,000 people. The exercise is set to continue to other parts of the county.
By Chari Suche
