A serving officer attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Makadara, Mbithi Nzioki, was arrested in Nairobi on Saturday night for allegedly vandalizing critical underground power cables. The officer was apprehended alongside Thomas Mutua and Joseph Kyalo, as part of a 10-member gang engaged in the illegal operation.
According to Kenya Power, the group was caught vandalizing 66kV high-voltage underground cables near Nyayo Stadium. These cables are part of Nairobi’s core energy infrastructure, supplying power to key installations like Kenyatta National Hospital, Mbagathi Hospital, and KEMRI.
Kenya Power’s security team, acting swiftly, managed to arrest three individuals while the others fled. During the arrest, the team recovered five metres of already vandalized cable, along with tools including four hoes, two spades, and two hacksaws.
“This incident is not only criminal but extremely dangerous,” said Dr. (Eng) Joseph Siror, the Managing Director of Kenya Power. “The vandalism of our infrastructure puts lives at risk and compromises the reliability of power for hospitals, homes, and businesses.”
The targeted 66kV lines serve as the main power supply for the Ragati and Nairobi West substations, which provide electricity to high-demand areas including Upper Hill, Community area, South C, Madaraka, Langata Road, Ngumo Estate, and parts of Industrial Area and South B. Damage to these cables has also weakened power supply redundancy, leaving Nairobi’s City Centre and its environs more vulnerable to outages.
The arrest of a law enforcement officer has deepened public concern over internal corruption and impunity within the security forces. Many are questioning how an officer from the DCI—tasked with preventing such crimes—could participate in one that directly undermines public safety.
Dr. Siror has urged members of the public to remain vigilant. “Report any suspicious activity near electrical installations immediately—either to the nearest police station, any Kenya Power office, or via USSD code *977#,” he stated.
The suspects are now in police custody as investigations continue. If found guilty, they could face serious charges under Kenya’s Energy Act, which prescribes strict penalties for tampering with national power infrastructure.
As Kenya grapples with increasing cases of infrastructure vandalism, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the damage that insiders can cause. Kenya Power and law enforcement agencies are under renewed pressure to root out internal collaborators and secure the nation’s critical utilities.
