Kenya Power lost 110 transformers to vandals in one year- Report

Kenya Power lost 110 transformers worth Sh137 million due to vandalism in the period September 1, 2023 and August 31, 2024, a new report shows.

The Annual Report on the State of National Security shows that a total of 114 cases of vandalism or theft were reported across the country, out of which 40 cases have been finalised, 41 cases are pending before the court, and 33 are under investigation.

The report, tabled in Parliament by President William Ruto says Kenya’s transmission system comprises 7,769 km of transmission lines, interconnecting the 105 transmission substations, with 310,335 km of Medium Voltage and Low Voltage lines connected to 79,710 distribution substations.

Dr Ruto said the energy sector plays a critical role in the country’s economic development with the government obligated to facilitate the provision of clean sustainable, affordable, competitively priced and secure energy for national development while protecting the environment.

He said the country has in recent times witnessed incidents of vandalism targeting electric power transmission infrastructure, resulting in power disruptions affecting service delivery thus causing economic losses.

“Additionally, 110 transformers valued at approximately Sh137,000,000 were vandalised across the country,” Dr Ruto said.

“For instance, vandalism of Kegati Sub Station in Kisii County was unprecedented, plunging the whole region in darkness.”

He said in order to address these challenges, the government has enhanced surveillance of energy installations, enhanced the capacity of the Energy Police Unit and continued with the relocation of transformers to more secure locations.

Dr Ruto said the government is enforcing a ban on copper exports and ensuring strict enforcement of the scrap metal regulations.

“In order to address these challenges, the government has enhanced investigations on reported incidents, repairs of vandalised infrastructure and sensitisation of local communities on the importance of power lines and associated equipment in their day-to-day lives to enhance security,” he said.

“The government is partnering with the local communities to secure power installations within their respective areas.”
Kenya Power in May announced that it lost 365 transformers due to vandalism in 2023.

The power distributor said the vandalised transformers were valued at Sh328 million, translating to an average cost of Sh898,630 per transformer, whose most valuable components include special oil that is stable at high temperatures and ideal for insulation.

Kenya Power added that it had lost a further 78 transformers valued at Sh78 million between January and May 2024, adding to the 76 transformers worth Sh68 million lost to vandals between May and December 2022.

Vandals also target other public infrastructure, including power lines and road guard rails, with the parts often ending up at scrap metal dealers or being smuggled out of the country.

The power distributor lamented the end of the 2022 five-month ban on scrap metal dealerships, revealing that it had stopped vandalism of its facilities.

“Our investigations have revealed a direct link between vandalism and the copper waste business. For example, between January and May 2022, when the government banned scrap metal dealing, we had zero cases of vandalism,” said Kenya Power managing director Joseph Siror in May, this year.

“However, immediately after the moratorium was lifted, we saw a serious spike, with 76 transformers worth Sh68 million vandalised between May and December 2022.”

The utility firm called for a total ban on copper exports to curb vandalism of its wires, as well as for scrap metal dealers to be required to disclose the sources of their copper and aluminium.

Kenya Power said it is welding transformer bases on channels, installing transformer units above high voltage lines, installing alarm systems on transformers, switching from oil-filled to dry-type transformer units, using aluminium transformers, and extensive intelligence gathering as part of fresh efforts to reduce vandalism.

The Protection of Critical Infrastructure Bill, 2024, which seeks to impose up to Sh10 million fines or 10 years in jail on vandals who interfere with or encroach critical infrastructure is stuck in Parliament.

The Bill, tabled in the Senate for debate by Trans Nzoia Senator Allan Chesang seeks to address the growing cases of vandalism of the electricity transmission network, railways, pipeline, and water systems besides people building structures above some of this infrastructure which is laid underground.