Kisumu: Police in Kisumu East subcounty have arrested five suspects believed to be behind recurrent vandalism of Kenya power company cables, plunging parts of the area into frequent blackouts. The suspects, Stephen Okok Ngeso alias Jakano (30), Kevin Omondi alias Magufuli (29), Fredrick Onyango Mboo alias Onyango (30), Joseph Otieno Juma alias Onjeng (34), and Ayub Ochieng Odhiambo alias Junior (20), were arrested following a police raid in the Kager Aredo area.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kisumu East Sub-County Police Commander Edward Wafula stated that the operation was conducted Tuesday afternoon after officers from Gita police station received actionable intelligence linking the suspects to the recent spate of vandalism targeting Kenya Power infrastructure in the area. 'Officers from Gita Police Station, acting on credible intelligence, raided a house where the suspects were allegedly hiding stolen electric cables. The five attempted to escape but were subdued and arrested with the help of members of the public,' Wafula said.
During the operation, police recovered a 600-metre-long bundle of electric cables, which had been concealed under a blue-and-white leso and covered with bricks. The cables, believed to have been vandalised from active power lines, have been handed over to Kenya Power officers as exhibits.
Wafula commended the swift action of his officers and the cooperation from members of the public, saying the arrests mark a significant step in curbing infrastructure vandalism in the region. 'The suspects are in custody at Gita Police Station awaiting further processing and will be handed over to officers from the Kenya Power Company for follow-up investigations,' he said.
Police have intensified patrols in Gita and surrounding areas following complaints from residents and Kenya Power officials about frequent acts of sabotage that have led to prolonged outages and loss of property.