Nairobi, Monday, 18th August 2025…. Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI)
attached to Kenya Power have arrested a key suspect believed to be the 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, 16th August 2025, in Maua town
after being spotted by a complainant. Mr. Kirimi, who had previously been arrested in February 2024 for
the offence of arson, had been on the run until his capture.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, officers conducting Kenya Power operations,
acting on intelligence, proceeded to Mpinda village, where it was 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. (Eng.) 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, ” said Dr.
(Eng.) Siror.
The illegal connections caused transformer failures, with 14 transformers destroyed and replaced at a
cost of KShs. 21 million. In addition, the estimated revenue lost from supplying electricity illegally to
the 21 boreholes over a period of four years stands at KShs. 90.7 million.
“Illegal activities on the electricity network such as theft of power and vandalism, not only compromise
the quality of energy supply but also jeopardise the country’s economic development. The Government
is committed to ensuring that these illegalities are dealt with in the full force of the law. We will provide
all the necessary support to Kenya Power and all other agencies that are faced with this challenge until
we eliminate these vices,” said Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, Hon. James Opiyo Wandayi.
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.
Ends…
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