Kenya Power has announced the arrest of a man suspected to be a key mastermind behind illegal electricity connections in Igembe North and Igembe South sub-counties of Meru County. The suspect, Japhet Kirimi alias “Senator,” was arrested on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in Maua town after being spotted by a complainant.
Mr. Kirimi, who had previously been arrested in February 2024 for arson, had been on the run until his capture. The suspect was arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations based on intelligence.
During a visit to Mpinda village, the officers established that the suspect, together with his accomplices, including Ibrahim Gituma, had constructed an extensive underground electricity network.
The illegal connections were found to be powering more than 21 borehole pumps supplying water to miraa farms in Mpinda, Kabuitu, Kanyakine, Muthucine, Mangala, and surrounding areas. Kenya Power’s Managing Director & CEO, Dr. Joseph Siror, commended the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and other law enforcement agencies for their collaboration in tackling energy theft.
“We are grateful to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and other law enforcement agencies working closely with us to weed out illegal activities within our network. Beyond financial losses, illegal power connections expose the public to the danger of electrocution and compromise the quality of electricity supply to our customers. We will not relent until all illegalities are eliminated,” Dr. Siror said.
The illegal connections caused transformer failures, with 14 transformers destroyed and replaced at a cost of KShs. 21 million. Additionally, the estimated revenue lost from supplying electricity illegally to the 21 boreholes over a period of four years stands at KShs. 90.7 million.
Hon. James Opiyo Wandayi, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, emphasized the government’s commitment to dealing with these illegalities. “Illegal activities on the electricity network, such as theft of power and vandalism, not only compromise the quality of energy supply but also jeopardize the country’s economic development. The Government is committed to ensuring that these illegalities are dealt with in the full force of the law.”
Kenya Power is undertaking countrywide operations as part of the ongoing war on illegal installations that pose a serious danger to the public and contribute to energy losses. Illegal activities within the electricity distribution network account for commercial energy losses estimated at about 6% of the total electricity purchased from generators annually.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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