The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has dismantled a major illegal electricity connection syndicate in Igembe, arresting two individuals in a sting operation that exposed massive power theft.
The crackdown, carried out early Sunday morning, August 17, 2025, marked a crucial step in the fight against unauthorised power connections that have continued to cause huge losses and risks to the electricity sector.
According to the statement released by DCI, a team of detectives attached to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company moved in on Mpinda village after receiving credible intelligence about the activities of the suspects.
Among those arrested was Japhet Kirimi, also known as Senator, who has been on the wanted list for electricity theft, illegal electricity supply to unauthorised third parties, and vandalism of KPLC infrastructure in Igembe North and South.
The investigators discovered that the suspects had set up an elaborate underground power supply system that was secretly connected to the official KPLC grid.
The illegal connections powered more than 21 unmetered borehole pumps that were being used to supply water to miraa farms in Mpinda and neighbouring villages such as Kabuitu, Kanyakine, Muthucine, and Mangala.
This network not only provided an illegal source of power but also led to major damage to KPLC infrastructure.
Authorities reported that the connections had resulted in the failure of around 14 transformers, which had to be replaced at a cost of 21 million shillings.
The financial impact of the syndicate is even more alarming. The DCI revealed that over the past four years, the illegal supply of electricity to the boreholes caused revenue losses estimated at 90.7 million shillings.
When combined with the cost of transformer replacements, the total losses stand at more than 112 million shillings.
These figures highlight the heavy burden that power theft continues to place on KPLC, which has for years struggled with similar challenges, especially in rural areas where farming requires heavy irrigation.
The two suspects arrested are now in custody and are undergoing processing ahead of their arraignment in court. Investigations are still ongoing to determine whether more individuals were involved in the network.
Authorities have stressed that the case represents only one example of how sophisticated and damaging illegal electricity operations can be, with far-reaching consequences not only on revenue but also on the stability of the power grid.
The DCI has urged members of the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activities linked to power theft.
Officials have emphasized that dismantling such networks is essential in protecting national resources, ensuring that consumers are billed fairly, and preventing the collapse of Kenya’s electricity infrastructure.
The government hopes to secure a more reliable and sustainable power supply for all citizens.
