The brains behind the vandalism of part of the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) infrastructure have been arrested.

PHOTO/COURTESY

Two individuals namely Thomas Anasi 38, and Joseph Kagwi 36 were nabbed following the disappearance of electricity cables and other items meant for rural electrification projects in Wundanyi, Taita Taveta County.

Anasi formerly worked as a line technician at KPLC, while Kagwe is known as an unscrupulous multi-millionaire businessman based in Thika.

The items that were found in possession of the two were kept at a site in Kushe area before they disappeared.

On January 28, 2022, Anasi and Kagwe, armed with their connections to the insiders at KPLC, organised for the disappearance of the wires, rods, conductors and other equipment meant for the Wundanyi project.

The syndicate is said to be highly organised and it comprises engineers and technicians targeting electricity connections and power lines.

Such syndicates are responsible for plunging parts of the country into darkness following their criminal activities.

In this case, the duo deployed a crane truck that loaded and ferried the stolen materials from the site to a yard in Nairobi.

PHOTO/COURTESY

An operation executed by detectives from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau cornered and apprehended Anasi in Kayole and his accomplice was nabbed in Thika.

According to preliminary investigations, Kagwi is well connected to high-ranking engineers and technicians at KPLC who furnish him with information on sites where electricity connection is happening.

Police impounded the crane track the syndicate used in their criminal operation and it is currently at Kayole Police Station.

They also recovered stolen electricity cables and metal rods which usually find their way into the black market courtesy of Kagwi and his associates.

PHOTO/COURTESY

This development comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta banned the sale of scrap metal because of increased vandalism

Anasi and Kagwi are currently helping the police with investigations and police are hoping to net more suspects in their operation.