Simon Gitau Kimani, a first year student was arrested on Monday for advertisements on social media purporting to sell “fairly priced” Kenya Power tokens.
Kenya Power however said it has recently heightened a crackdown on vandals and scammers.
In a similar operation carried out in Uasin Gishu County, 790 meters of aluminium conductors and two prepaid meters were recovered from illegal lines constructed in Bayete areas of Cheptiret.
Electricity distributor Kenya Power #ticker:KPLC has issued a fraud alert to its customers after a university student was charged in a Thika Court for conning unsuspecting members of public with fake electricity tokens.
Simon Gitau Kimani, a first year student at a public university in Nairobi, was arrested by the firm's security officers Monday for running advertisements on social media purporting to be selling “fairly priced” tokens.
The suspect would then block his targets' mobile phone numbers upon receiving payment for the non-existent tokens, cutting off further communication and leaving them aggrieved, the power distributor says.
Kenya Power security services manager Geoffrey Kigen cautioned Kenyans against engaging in any transactions with unauthorised persons to acquire electricity supply services.
“There are many criminals out there who are fleecing money from innocent Kenyans. We urge the public to be vigilant and report all suspicious activities to Kenya Power offices or the nearest Police station,” said Mr Kigen.
Heightened crackdown
The public utility however sought to reassure consumers, saying it has intensified a crackdown on vandals and scammers.
“The company is carrying out an intensive operation to track down illegal electricity connections, vandalism and other vices that are undermining the quality of electricity supply to customers,” said Mr Kigen.
Elsewhere, Nelson Mokamba - who had been arrested in Gilgil purporting to be an employee of Kenya Power and unlawfully disconnecting customers - was sentenced to 15 months of community service by the Naivasha law courts.
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