The Department of Energy Machakos County is counting huge losses following the stealing and vandalising of 200 electricity meters from public institutions.
According to the County Chief Officer for Energy, Simon Kirima, they decided to conduct an inspection after Machakos residents decried power failure in public institutions due to the vandalism and meter thefts.
Kirima said during the exercise, they found out that, out of 1800 County electrical meters, 200 had been stolen and vandalised, causing the county major losses.
He added that some meters were found in residential buildings and private businesses, yet the county is paying for their electricity.
“ We have found this residential household using county meters, and its balance is reading 205,951, while the county has so far paid 1.6 million for it, yet we are not using it,” decried Kirima.
He urged Machakos residents to stop vandalism and follow the law to acquire electricity meters at KP, warning that if found with county property, they will be accused of destruction of county property and stealing electricity.
On his part, Director for Energy Newton Musyoka gave seven days to the culprits hoarding county electrical meters to surrender them or face the wrath of the law.
He added that KP is on course to track the stolen meters together with county officials and warned residents against handling stolen meters since meter tampering can cause electrical fires, explosions and other safety hazards.
By Anne Kangero