Kenya Power officials narrowly escaped death at dawn on Wednesday when Matathia residents in Kijabe ward, Lari constituency, attacked them, suspecting they planned to steal an electricity transformer. Their official car was pelted with stones by irate locals, who also deflated its tires, reflecting heightened tensions over frequent transformer thefts causing blackouts in the region.
Police reported a resident noticed a car parked near a church with occupants loitering and alerted others. Patrolling locals raised the alarm at 2 a.m., waking the village. They intercepted the officials, who tried to flee. The crowd attacked with crude weapons, leaving one official with locals, who vented their anger, while others fled into the darkness.
Lari sub-county police commander Emily Ngaruiya said one official was hospitalized with injuries. She confirmed Lari DCI detectives launched investigations to establish the incident’s details. “Officers from Lari DCI have launched investigations so that we know exactly what was going on,” she stated. The car’s wreckage was towed to Kijabe police station for further inquiry.
Locals voiced concerns over recurring transformer thefts in Matathia, Escarpment, Gituamba, Lare, Gitithia, and Nyambari. Simon Kimani, a resident, said blackouts disrupt dairy farmers’ chaff cutters, poultry farmers lose birds, and food outlets and salons close. He noted Lare village went six months without power after a theft, highlighting the severe impact on local livelihoods.
Kimani suspected the officials, stating locals lack a market for stolen transformer parts. However, residents commended Lari MP Mburu Kahangara for ensuring stolen transformers are replaced. Paul Njonge said Kahangara frequently visits affected areas with Kenya Power officials, lobbying for new installations to restore electricity and address community challenges.
Resident Ian Wainaina warned potential vandals, saying night patrols in Nyambari, Gitithia, Mathore, Escarpment, and Matathia vigilantly guard transformers. “We have organized ourselves so well to watch our transformers at night. Any movement close to the electricity will leave another story,” he declared, underscoring the community’s resolve to protect their power infrastructure.
