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Ex-KPLC employee, two others face multiple fraud charges for power disconnections

Residents can now participate in court cases online, an option which eliminates transport costs that the poor cannot afford. (Photo: EV)

By Joseph Ndunda | Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Magistrate Kituku granted the suspects a bond of Sh200,000 each and an alternative cash bail of Sh100,000.

A former Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) employee and his two accomplices, accused of extorting money from electricity consumers in Nairobi by disconnecting them from the power grid to force payment for power restoration, are facing multiple fraud-related charges.

The accused are Joseph Mwai, a former employee of KPLC's Nairobi Western region who was dismissed in 2021, Samuel Otieno Okong'o, and Evand Matundura Oire.

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They each face charges of making a document without authority, contrary to Section 357(a) of the Penal Code, and personating a public officer in contravention of Section 105(a) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The suspects were charged with making KPLC staff badges, purporting them to be genuine ones issued by the company, without lawful excuse and with intent to defraud. They are also accused of falsely presenting themselves as KPLC customer service officers.

They denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Justus Kituku of the Makadara Law Courts.

The three were rescued from a lynch mob by police officers in the Chokaa area of Ruai on June 7, where they were being beaten on suspicion of being imposters. The agitated mob cornered them after they disconnected a resident from the electricity supply and allegedly demanded money to restore power.

Okong'o was using a staff card belonging to a KPLC officer based in Kapsabet in Nandi County, pretending he was an employee of KPLC, while Oire had forged a document purportedly issued by the state-owned electricity vendor.

The suspects were found in possession of a KPLC jacket and a reflector, two KPLC brochures, and three copies of meter account itineraries. A car they were using has also been detained by police.

KPLC security officer Joshua Wasakha told police during investigations that Oire's identification card, purported to have been issued by KPLC, could not be traced in the human resources office and was therefore forged.

Magistrate Kituku granted the suspects a bond of Sh200,000 each and an alternative cash bail of Sh100,000. The case will be mentioned on September 25, before the hearing starts on December 10, 2024.