COFEK will on Wednesday, May 22 host a half-day forum on establishment of Consumer Policing Forums Against Vandalism (CPFAV).
The event is supported by Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC) and Campaign Against Illicit Trade & Fake Products (CAITFAP).
The Kenya Power has been warning Kenyans against vandalizing electric connections. Transformers, power towers, power conductors (cables), poles, meters and theft of electricity are mostly affected by vandals.
Such crimes are punishable under the Energy Act 2019. Those found culpable are liable to a fine of not less than Sh5mn. They may also face a term of Imprisonment of ten years or both.
Critical infrastructure
Kenya is reeling under a heavy cost of vandalism of critical national infrastructure. This affects largely electricity, railways, roads and pipeline, among others.
Vandalism has largely been associated with scrap metal business which is regulated by the Scrap Metal Council.
Being a member of the Government’s Scrap Metal Council, and aware of the challenges and effects of vandalism of critical infrastructure, COFEK is keen to secure a stakeholders’ agreement on the need for, process and set up of Community Policing Forums Against Vandalism, across the country.
Internal Security and National Government Coordination Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo is expected to speak on Government of Kenya Report Card on addressing the vandalism menace. The partnership is also expected to rope in the National Police Service.
The KPLC MD Eng Joseph Siror will speak on the KPLC perspective and proposed interventions.
Scrap Metal Council Chairman Francis Mugo will speak on the mandate and interventions SMC is undertaking to promote business in scrap metal sector while protecting the critical infrastructure.
On its’ part, the Kenya Railways MD Philip Mainga is expected to give an account on how its regional stakeholder committees against vandalism is working.
COFEK Secretary General Stephen Mutoro will, in his opening address, focus on the need to involve the general public.
“Its time we shift the burden and obligation beyond service providers like Kenya Power and Kenya Railways to the public who foot the bill and undergo inconvenience whenever services are disrupted by vandals. We are looking at this not as an event but as a process, working with partners and police to find a lasting solution on vandalism”, he said
KPLC has been urging the public to report cases of vandalism of any power infrastructure by calling Kenya Power on 97771 dialling *977# to report any power-related incident.
You can also report to: hotline@cofek.africa or call 0715555550 in confidence.
