Police officer among 3 arrested for vandalising high-voltage power cables
A police officer attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was among three persons of interest arrested after they were found vandalising high-voltage underground power cables near Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
In a statement by the Kenya Power and Lighting Company [KPLC] on Monday, June 9, 2025, the brazen act by the trio placed major hospitals, estates, and industrial zones at the mercy of blackout and chaos, as the cables are the primary supply to the Ragati and Nairobi West substations.
“Three people, among them a police officer, were arrested on Saturday night after being found vandalising high-voltage underground power cables near Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi. The cables are the primary supply to Ragati and Nairobi West substations, which provide electricity to Upper Hill, Kenyatta National Hospital, the Community area, South C, Nairobi West, Madaraka, parts of South B and the Industrial Area, parts of Langata Road, Ngumo Estate, Mbagathi Hospital, and KEMRI,” the KPLC statement read.
The trio, identified as Thomas Mutua, Joseph Kyalo, and Dennis Mbithi Nzioki—the latter being a police officer stationed at DCI Makadara — were part of a 10-man group armed with crude tools who descended upon the 66kV underground cables.
The three were cornered and swiftly arrested, but the rest of their gang escaped into the night on Saturday.
“The three, Thomas Mutua, Joseph Kyalo, and Dennis Mbithi Nzioki, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Makadara, were among a group of 10 men armed with crude weapons who were caught vandalising the 66 kV cables. The other suspects fled as the three were apprehended and booked at the Capitol Hill police station,” the statement added.
During the arrest, Kenya Power’s security team recovered five meters of already vandalised 66kV cable, along with crude tools believed to have been used in the attempted heist, including four hoes, two spades, and two hacksaws.
“During the arrests, Kenya Power’s security team recovered five meters of already vandalised 66kV underground cable and confiscated four hoes, two spades and two hacksaws,” the statement added.
Speaking following the arrests, Kenya Power’s Managing Director and CEO, Joseph Siror, praised the swift action taken by the utility’s internal security team, describing it as part of a broader and ongoing operation to weed out criminal networks that continue to target the electricity grid with reckless abandon.
“Vandalism of power infrastructure has continued to pose a serious risk to public safety while disrupting electricity supply to homes and businesses. It is unfortunate that, as we work to supply reliable and safe electricity to our customers, a few people are involved in vandalism and other illegal activities that compromise the safety of the network.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with the public and law enforcement agencies to deal with these illegalities while ensuring that the perpetrators face the law,” Siror, who was quoted in the release, said.
The Kenya Power boss further appealed to members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity near electrical installations to the nearest police station, any Kenya Power office as a way of building a united front against infrastructure sabotage.
