Kenya Power has initiated a thorough investigation following a deliberate act of vandalism that led to the collapse of a critical transmission tower on the Naivasha-Juja 132kV double-circuit line. This incident, which occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m., resulted in a significant disruption of electricity supply through the Ruaraka Substation, affecting numerous customers dependent on this line for power.
In response to the outage, Kenya Power swiftly rerouted electricity through alternative substations, successfully restoring power to all affected customers by 4:30 a.m. The utility company reported that items recovered at the site of the collapse suggest the vandals were present when the tower fell, indicating a premeditated act of sabotage. Kenya Power's security team, in collaboration with local police, has launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible for this destructive act. Meanwhile, transmission and airmobile teams have been deployed to commence restoration work on the damaged infrastructure, aiming to restore the integrity of the power line as quickly as possible.
Kenya Power has strongly condemned this act of vandalism, emphasizing that such actions not only disrupt the supply of electricity but also pose serious threats to public safety and result in substantial financial losses. The company highlighted a worrying trend, noting a 200 percent increase in vandalism incidents over the past three months, during which 37 transformers were targeted and damaged. This surge in vandalism has emerged as a significant threat to the reliability and sustainability of Kenya's electricity network.
The utility company underscored the urgent need for stronger and more coordinated measures to protect critical electricity infrastructure. It called for enhanced collaboration between Kenya Power, security agencies, and the public to safeguard these vital investments. Kenya Power has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around electricity installations to the nearest police station or directly to the company. The utility reiterated that the protection of electricity infrastructure is a shared responsibility, requiring concerted efforts from all stakeholders to ensure the stability and reliability of the power supply across the nation.
