A section of residents in Kodera area in Rachuonyo South sub-county, Homa Bay county have torched three motorbikes belonging to suspects believed to be behind the spate of vandalism and transformer oil theft in the area.
In the early morning incident, the locals who decried that the incident had been rampant over the past weeks lay a trap for the suspects, however, they (the suspects) were lucky to escape the angry residents leaving their motorbikes at the scene.
"The thieves recently destroyed a transformer and took away the oil, today we decided to lay a trap to catch them. When it reached around 1 in the morning, we found them on top of the poles destroying electric wires," one of the locals identified as Samwel Onyango said.
"They luckily escaped to the nearest bush, however, our search led us to where they had kept the already stolen electric wires and three of their motorbikes which they usually use in their illegal acts," the witness added.
The residents identified the said motorbikes but could not actually ascertain who the occupants or the owners were.
"According to the numberplates of the motorbikes they are all familiar since they are usually being operated in our area, however since the vandalizers escaped, we can not really tell who the occupants were," Onyango added.
According to Kodera North Location Chief, Joseph Omondi Omoro, the theft and vandalism of electric appliances in the area had increased.
Omoro detailed that the suspects recently destroyed and stole a transformer in one of the areas called Kasire.
"Vandalism of transformers in this region has been on the rise. Recently, they destroyed a transformer and siphoned the oil. The matter was reported to police but no action has been taken," the administrator said.
"So today, the locals decided to lay ambush and managed to recover the electric wires which had been stolen and their three motorbikes," he added.
The administrator applauded the locals for ensuring that public property was protected urging them to continue with the same spirit.
