Residents of a village in Kiambu County have allayed fears that failure to connect electricity in their region pose security risks.

Mukunike village of Thika East say they have “lived in darkness” for two years –a situation they said it puts them at risk from thugs and wild animals.

They say the village that borders Athi River and a series of mining quarries, which are home to hippos and hyenas, has been in the dark since 2022 when power was installed but later disconnected on unclear circumstances. The residents, who blamed local leaders, asked the government to act.

Led by Simon Mutuku, the villagers said cases of mugging were on the rise as criminals take advantage of the darkness to rob them while hippos have been straying in the area posing a risk to residents.

“Many people here who had established businesses in the area were forced to close them due to insecurity while others abandoned residential houses they were constructing. We are demanding our rights as taxpayers,” said Mutuku.

He said most of the criminal cases reported at the local police station were from Mukunike village where people are mugged as early as 7pm while walking home.

Dorcas Kalondu, a community leader, accused area MP Alice Ng’ang’a and Member of the County Assembly Joachim Njama of failing to act even after the matter was raised before them on several occasions.

Electricity supply

“Since electricity supply is a function of the national government, we are appealing to the President to intervene since the MP has failed us,” said Kalondu.

Catherine Nduta, another resident, said cases of people attacked by hippos and hyenas are on the rise.

Most of the power poles and cables have been vandalized. Apart from the area, most estates including Kitsuru, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Nairobi West and Lang’ata areas have been experiencing a spike in such incidents.

Police say they have arrested some of the suspects and have pending court cases after numerous burglary, housebreaking and stealing incidents mostly in Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Upper Hill areas in Nairobi.