Police in Mombasa have caught two persons of interest after recovering about 1,000kg of steel conductors said to have been stolen from a Kenya Power facility in Shanzu.

In a statement on Thursday, July 2, 2026, the National Police Service said officers from Bamburi Police Station acted on intelligence after a group of young men was reportedly spotted with wire cables believed to belong to Kenya Power.

“Police officers from Bamburi Police Station in Mombasa County yesterday acted on intelligence indicating that a group of young men had been spotted with wire cables suspected to belong to Kenya Power,” part of the NPS statement reads.

According to police, the officers moved swiftly and mounted an ambush in the Shanzu area.

“Acting swiftly, the officers mounted an ambush in the Shanzu area, leading to the recovery of approximately one tonne of steel conductors that had been concealed in a bush,” NPS said.

Shanzu recovery

Police said preliminary investigations linked the recovered conductors to the Shanzu Substation.

“Preliminary investigations established that the recovered conductors had been stolen from the Shanzu Substation,” the statement added.

The two persons of interest were taken into custody as police continue with investigations before the matter is placed before the court.

NPS said three mobile phones were also recovered at the scene and preserved as exhibits.

“Three mobile phones were also recovered at the scene and have been secured as exhibits to support ongoing investigations, while efforts to trace and apprehend more suspects continue,” police said.

Power vandalism

The recovery has once again exposed the threat posed by vandalism of power infrastructure, especially substations, transformers, conductors and other electrical equipment.

In its statement, NPS warned that such crimes not only affect Kenya Power but also disrupt homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, and other essential services.

“The theft and vandalism of power infrastructure remain a serious threat to the country’s electricity network and economic development,” NPS said.

Police further noted that criminal acts targeting electricity infrastructure often result in prolonged outages, increased repair costs, destruction of public infrastructure, and financial losses that ultimately affect consumers and the wider economy.

Public urged

NPS said it will continue using intelligence-led operations, enhanced patrols and collaboration with stakeholders to curb theft and vandalism of public utilities.

“The National Police Service remains steadfast in its mandate to protect life and property,” the statement reads.