Kenya Power Condemns Assault On Staff After MP Nimrod Mbai's Arrest

Siror revealed that the monopoly firm escalated the matter with the authorities as well as the courts of law.

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Jul 5, 2023 - 13:10 Updated: Jul 5, 2023 - 13:13
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Kenya Power Condemns Assault On Staff After MP Nimrod Mbai's Arrest
Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai caught assaulting a Kenya Power official on July 4, 2023. /VIRALTEAKE

Kenya Power on Wednesday, July 5 condemned all forms of assault against the organisation's staff while on official duty, in the wake of the assault on one of its staff by Nimrod Mbai, the current Member of Parliament (MP) for Kitui East Constituency.

In a statement, Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO, Joseph Siror stated that the incident which occurred in Kitengela, Kajiado County formed an emerging trend of violent attacks on employees doing their work, which he termed as ”regrettable”.

Affirming its stance against violence meted on staff, Siror revealed that the monopoly firm escalated the matter with the authorities as well as the courts of law.

Kenya Power engineers at work on a transformer. /FILE

“While working to weed the network of illegal and dangerous connections, we regrettably note an emerging trend of violent attacks against our staff. The latest of these incidents happened on Monday, July 3, in Kitengela where our staff were attacked by the Kitui East Member of Parliament, Nimrod Mbai”.

“We have taken up this issue with the relevant authorities and the matter is now before the courts. As an entity that prioritizes the welfare of its staff and the public, we condemn this incident and we wish to categorically state that we do not condone any form of violence, at least not on our staff while on official duty," stated Siror in part.

Siror further asserted that the organisation will not relent on its push to expose individuals erecting illegal and dangerous power connections, arguing that they paralyze the quality of the power supply and ultimately cause huge losses to the company.

"Last year, we lost 214 units of transformers valued at an average of Ksh800,000 per unit due to overloading from illegal connections and vandalism.

"The Company will intensify network surveillance and continue to work closely with the National Government Administration Officers and other security agencies to stamp out all illegal activities," added the CEO.

Siror also invited any reports from members of the public regarding cases of vandalism, illegal connections, theft of power and any other suspicious activity on the electricity network through 97771 (call or text) or the nearest authorities.

Kenya Power's statement came after Kenya University Student Organization (KUSO) Deputy President, Rachael Tabitha on Tuesday, July 4 criticised the firm for their silence on the matter.

"It even breaks my heart more that Kenya Power remains silent despite their staff being harassed and assaulted. If they disregard the safety and well-being of their employees when incidents like this occur, one can only wonder about their commitment to protecting the public.

"What happens to those who suffer electrocution accidents in their vicinity? Shouldn't they be held responsible for ensuring the safety of individuals in their care?" she posed.

She also heaped blame on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Police Service (NPS) for failing to take action against Mbai the same way authorities pounce on crimes committed by ordinary Kenyans.

"I’m however not surprised that the DCI and NPS have equally not said a word. It is disheartening to witness the stark contrast in their response when a common mwananchi is caught stealing chicken in some remote village in Mumias, yet when an MP is involved in assaulting someone, they remain silent. 

"We need answers as to why there appears to be a double standard in how the law is enforced. This selective silence only perpetuates a culture of impunity.  All citizens, regardless of their social status, should be treated equally before the law," she added.

Hours after her sentiments, Mbai was arrested in Mavoko and held at Kitengela Police Station and is set to be arraigned at Kajiado Law Courts.

Photo collage of Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai in handcuffs at a police station on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. /FILE

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