Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang' has issued a shoot-to-kill order to people involved in the vandalism of electricity infrastructure.
Speaking at the Kitale National Museum after holding a meeting with the County security committee and Kenya Power Kitale branch management, Ojwang’ said vandalizing electricity infrastructure is considered an act of terrorism.
“Just like we deal with terrorists, we shall deal with anybody found vandalizing electricity infrastructure. I am warning everybody in Trans Nzoia that if you will be found on top of electricity poles or on Kenya Power transformers trying to vandalize them, then be sure utakula risasi,” Ojwang’ warned.
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The County Security Committee chairperson said vandalizing electricity infrastructure amounts to a breach of national security, economic sabotage and threat to human life.
“We shall be ruthless and merciless to anybody that is messing up with power supply in Kenya. We shall fast-track your exit from this world. We shall send you to God Almighty because disconnecting power supply to hospitals means you are killing people who need the power to survive” Ojwang added.
Ojwang’ reiterated President Uhuru Kenyatta's ban of scrap metal business saying such businesses have led to the interruption of power transmission in the country.
“Just like our President banned scrap metal business in Kenya, that ban has not been lifted and therefore we shall be on the lookout for those who breach the President’s order,” he said.
Kenya Power Kitale branch manager Martin Lumasia said vandalism is one of the contributions of power outages and the suffering of people.
“The loss is much bigger because there are people who lose their livelihoods because they are not in their business when they are out of supply. Also, some people who rely on power have lost their lives because of power outages,” Lumasia said.
The manager said there is direct link insecurity between power outages, especially at night.
Kenya power has over 131,000 customers in Trans Nzoia county.
