IGEMBE: A multi-million shilling electricity theft operation that has plagued the Igembe region has finally been shut down by KPLC detectives.

The company has apprehended two suspects believed to be responsible for a sophisticated underground network that not only stole an estimated Sh90.7 million in power but also caused catastrophic damage to local infrastructure, leading to the failure of 14 transformers.

Acting on a tip-off, the detectives descended upon Mpinda village, where they unearthed a clandestine underground network unlike any they had seen before.

This elaborate setup illegally powered over 21 un-metered borehole pumps. These pumps, in turn, fed a sprawling network of miraa farms not only in Mpinda but also in the surrounding areas of Kabuitu, Kanyakine, Muthucine, and Mangala.

For years, the culprits had been siphoning electricity directly from the grid, creating a private, unmonitored supply for a vast agricultural operation.

The consequences of this illicit operation were devastating. The high voltage from the illegal connections had wreaked havoc on KPLC infrastructure, leading to the failure of at least 14 transformers.

Replacing these essential components has come with a hefty price tag of approximately Sh21 million.

Even more staggering is the estimated Sh90.7 million in revenue that KPLC has lost over the last four years from the unmetered supply to the 21 boreholes.

With the network dismantled and the suspects in custody, a long and challenging legal battle lies ahead.

Kirimi and Gituma are currently being processed and are expected to face serious charges related to electricity theft, illegal supply, and the destruction of public property.

This significant arrest serves as a powerful message: the fight against power thieves is intensifying, and KPLC is determined to protect its infrastructure and revenue.