Nairobi — Kenya Power Company Managing Director Joseph Siror has denied claims that he had given Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai the approval to erect poles to install a newly constructed power line in his Kitengela neighborhood.
Siror’s response comes in the wake of an incident where the Kitui East Legislator allegedly assaulted a Kenya Power employee who was tasked with disconnecting an illegal power line financed by the lawmaker.
During the altercation with the Kenya Power employee, the Kitui East legislator claimed to have received authorization from the Director and CEO of Kenya Power (KPLC) for the erection of the disputed poles.
However, Siror swiftly dismissed these assertions on Wednesday, emphasizing that he does not support any form of illegality.
He further stressed that illegal connections pose significant risks, including the threat of electrocution, which has tragically resulted in fatalities.
“I do not remember ever having even communicated or talking to the person in question. I do not know in which forum he got those blessings got that approval from. But you can be sure I can never support any illegality,” he said.
Subsequently, the legislator was apprehended and is expected to face charges at the Narok Law Courts in relation to the incident.
Siror highlighted that illegal connections across various regions in the country compromise the quality of power supply and result in substantial revenue losses for the Company.
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“Last year, we lost 214 units of transformers valued at an average of Shs.800,000 per unit due to overloading from illegal connections and vandalism,”
While working to weed the network off these illegal and dangerous connections, Siror said that the utility firm has recorded an emerging trend of violent attacks against their staff.
He specifically cited the Kitengela incident, as well as similar occurrences in Utange and Nyandarua County, where personnel have been assaulted.
While condemning the attacks targeting the KPLC staff, Siror said that the Company had taken up the issue with the relevant authorities and the matter is currently before the courts.
“As an entity that prioritizes the welfare of its staff and the public, we condemn this incident and we wish to categorically state that we do not condone any form of violence, at least not on our staff while on official duty,” Siror stated.
To provide reliable and quality electricity supply to its customers, Kindiki said the Company will intensify network surveillance and work closely with the National Government Administration Officers and other security agencies to stamp out all illegal activities.
He appealed to the public to report any cases of vandalism, illegal connections, theft of power and any other suspicious activity on the electricity network through 97771 (call or text) or the nearest authorities.
