Police recover 43 Kenya Power transformers in Eldoret

Police in Eldoret have recovered 43 transformers worth Sh50 million they suspect were stolen from Kenya Power.

The electrical equipment were found hidden in a well-fenced compound at Maili Nne estate in Uasin Gishu County.

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Confirming the incident, Eldoret West police chief Samuel Mutunga on Wednesday said they found the transformers on Tuesday evening following a tip-off from the public.

Seven of the transformers were still intact while the rest had been vandalised.

Police suspect the devices had been vandalised from power lines in different parts of the country.

"We have the owner of the backyard and one suspect in our custody. They will be arraigned in court once we are through with the investigations," said Mr Mutunga.

He said they were still waiting for further verification from Kenya Power to tell if the transformers are scrap or new.

"Some of these transformers are intact while others have been vandalised,” he said.

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“This is why we are waiting for engineers and store-keepers to come and tell us how these transformers may have found their way here because there are clear procedures followed by Kenya Power whenever they want to dispose.”

Mr Mutunga, who was accompanied by Baharini OCS Abdikaddir Hassan, thanked the public for sharing the information and asked them to keep on doing the same.

Kenya Power North Rift regional head of security Paul Gichovi said there were no leads linking the company's employees to the racket.

"We can assure you that if we find any then he/ she will face the full force of the law," said Mr Gichovi.

Mr Gichovi said the copper wires in the transformers have a lucrative market outside the country.

"They vandalise the transformers because of the contents that include the copper wires which are sold locally and foreign countries like China and the US.”