Surveillance beefed up along critical power towers

The government through the relevant key players in the energy sector have beefed up surveillance on critical power routes to address vandalism and economic sabotage incidents which were detected on the Olkaria – Lessos high voltage line in Naivasha. 

Speaking after a stakeholder consultative meeting, Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Mutua Kisilu said the sub-county hosts critical infrastructure including five evacuation high voltage power lines, a dry port, power substations and water projects, which the government was keen to safeguard.

Mutua said a special surveillance unit has been formed as part of wider mitigation measures adopted by a multi-agency team drawn from security personnel, Kenya Transmission Company [Ketraco] Kenya Power, Water Resources Authority and are tasked with ensuring the protection of key infrastructure including power towers and generators which have been targeted by vandals.

The DCC said that the team will also lead in the strict enforcement of the presidential directive banning the sale of scrap metals after reports indicated an increase in vandalism of government infrastructure terming the move a clarion call for all citizens to support the move.

“There has been no reported incident of vandalism in the sub-county since the presidential ban came into effect,” said Mutua, adding, “We are closely monitoring the situation,” he added.

The move comes barely weeks after the government raised concerns after several power towers along the Olkaria – Lessos high voltage line were sabotaged in the Longonot area and Kayole estate in Naivasha, with fears of power blackout if the situation was not arrested on time.

The DCC however noted that Ketraco engineers have already completed the repairs and restoration of the vandalised towers along the 400kv Olkaria –Lessos line in Naivasha with the power systems up and running.

On Kenya Power, the DCC noted that the company was losing its generators to theft and vandalism of copper wires with Naivasha reporting 32 cases of theft of generators within a period of four months before the ban was effected.

Mutua at the same time said the special surveillance team was working closely with persons living near-critical government infrastructure who will play a crucial role in monitoring and vigilance of any sabotage or vandalism incidences.

On an earlier visit to Naivasha to assess progress, Energy PS Gordon Kihalangwa said the government had launched a thorough investigation to establish the motive behind power lines vandalism with fears of economic sabotage after a 15 per cent reduction in power tariffs was announced.

The PS announced that the government had intensified security at key power infrastructure to ensure the country is saved from economic loss occasioned by the power blackouts.