The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Kenya Power and Lighting Company (Kenya Power) employee over allegations of extorting Sh300,000 from a customer in exchange for restoring electricity supply at Runda Mumwe Estate in Nairobi.

The suspect, identified as Bernard Githinji Maina, is a meter reader attached to the Runda sector.

Alleged Sh300,000 Demand

According to the Commission, the suspect allegedly demanded Sh300,000 from a resident on January 24, 2026, promising to facilitate the reconnection of electricity that had been disconnected months earlier.

Investigators say the suspect further threatened the complainant with a punitive electricity bill of Sh2 million if he failed to comply with the demand.

Preliminary findings indicate that power to the estate had been disconnected on October 25, 2025, over what was cited as an illegal connection. However, the complainant reportedly had no outstanding electricity bill arrears at the time.

Arrest in Sting Operation

The EACC stated that it received a formal complaint on February 27, 2026, triggering investigations that culminated in a sting operation.

The suspect was arrested while allegedly receiving Sh180,000 from the complainant at Runda Mumwe Estate.

Following his arrest, he was escorted to the Integrity Centre for processing before being transferred to Kilimani Police Station, where he spent the night in custody.

He was later released on a cash bail of Sh50,000 pending the completion of investigations.

Commission Reaffirms Anti-Bribery Drive

In a statement, the EACC reiterated its commitment to combating bribery, particularly at public service delivery points.

“The Commission remains resolute in dismantling corrupt networks that exploit citizens seeking essential services,” the agency said, adding that it would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion.

Broader Concerns Over Service Delivery

The arrest adds to growing public concern over alleged corruption within critical service sectors, including utilities.

Kenya Power has in the past warned customers against engaging staff members directly in unofficial transactions and encouraged reporting of suspected bribery attempts through official channels.

The EACC has urged members of the public to report any instances of extortion or bribery to facilitate prompt investigations and enforcement action.

The suspect is expected to be formally charged once investigations are concluded.

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Several areas in a total of eight counties will on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, experience a power blackout, the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has announced.

In a statement issued on Monday, March 31, 2025, Kenya Power said the listed areas will face power cuts at diverse times from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The power interruption, Kenya Power says, will facilitate system maintenance.

The utility firm listed Nairobi, Bungoma, Homa Bay, Nyamira, Nyeri, Laikipia, Embu and Meru as counties that will be affected.

Kenya Power on Nairobi blackout

Parts of Nairobi will experience power interruption from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The areas are General Mathenge Road, Donyo Sabuk Lane, Peponi Road, Part of Lower Kabete Road, General Mathenge Lane, Jacaranda Apartments, Ivory Apartments, General Mathenge Close, Pine Wood Groove East, Kabete Lane, Total Spring Valley and adjacent customers.

Bungoma

Areas in Bungoma to face power interruption from 9am to 5pm are Matulo Village, Ben Captain, Wanyama, Wamang’oli Primary and adjacent customers. 

Others are Bokoli Market, Bokli Dispensary, Bukembe Market, Chebesi Secondary School and Matulo.

Homa Bay 

Parts of Homa Bay to face power cuts from 9am to 4pm are Sofia East, Homabay High, Homabay Referral Hospital, Homabay County Offices, Homawasco Offices, MTC, Tom Mboya Univ, Site, Salama, Homabay Market, Shivling S/Market, Mlimani East, County Governemt Offices, KCB, Equity, Co-op Bank, ABSA Banks, Sonyanco, Cold Spring and adjacent customers.

Nyamira 

Parts of Nyamira to face power cuts from 8.30am to 4pm are Corner S Resort, Motobo Market, Nyansabakwa Secondary School, Miruka Market, Bonyunyu Market, Bonyunyu Secondary School, Rionyangi Market and adjacent customers.

Nyeri 

Areas in Nyeri will face power cuts from 9am to 5pm.

The areas are Kiangai Market, Kianyange Village, Kiangai C/Fact, Kiangai Village, Thunguri C/Fact, Karerahungu Village, Bore Kero, Thunguri Village, Kianwe Market, Kianwe Village, Kariko Village, Kiambagathi, Kiahiti Village, Safaricom Boosters, Airtel Boosters and adjacent customers.

Laikipia 

Areas in Laikipia will face power cuts from 9am to 4.30 pm.

They include the whole of Olpejeta, Depatas, Tundra, Freshigold, Segera, Zimbabwe, New Daraja Academy and adjacent customers.

Embu

Areas in Embu will face power cuts from 8.30 am to 5 pm.

They are Kwa Kingoli, Kiimani, Masinga Boys, Masinga Market, Wendano, Kakuku, Ekalakala, Kathini, Isyukoni, Kiangeni, Masinga Bible College, Mutwamwaki and adjacent customers.

Meru 

Areas in Meru will face power interruption from 8am to 5pm .

They are Igoki Dispensary, Mutea Iringo, Kiringo Boys High Sch, Kathuri Market, Nkabune Girls High SchOOL, Nkabune TTC, Ngugwe, Gugwe C/Fact, Ntani Pri School, Kanjagi Market, Karimuga Primary School, Karimautine Primary School, Runywene Primary Sch,ool Gaitu Market, Gaitu Police Station, Nkuene Primary School, Kaguma Market, Chaaria Market, Mbanjone Market, Ruchoro, Cottolengo Mission Hospital, Nguucia, Kaare Market, Sarovina, Njuthine, Gacuru and adjacent customers.

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Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has been accused of procurement and financial irregularities during her tenure as the CEO of the Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (Kengen).

In an ouster petition filed at the High Court, a lobby group has accused the CS of spending Ksh94 billion of taxpayers’ money on white elephant power generation projects.

She is further accused of contributing to recent frequent national blackouts by commissioning unusable high voltage transmission lines and commissioning feasibility studies on two new power plants that never worked.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has also been cited as an interested party in the case whose mention is slated for January 29, 2024 before Justice Lawrence Mugambi.

“There was illegal, unlawful and irregular misuse of taxpayers’ money a fact that was confirmed by the Auditor General in her reports for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022,” says an affidavit by Francis Awino filed in support of the suit.

According to Awino, CS Miano is also the reason why Kenyans are suffering with huge power bills and blackouts because huge losses were reported due to funds wastage and on incomplete projects.

The CS is also accused of flouting procurement rules by spending Ksh645 million on feasibility studies for new power production plants that have never been constructed to date.

According to court documents, this includes Ksh592 million spent on a feasibility study for the construction of the Meru Wind Power plant and Ksh82 million for the Karura Hydro Power plant.

CS Miano was moved from the East African Community, ASALS, and Regional Development ministry in October 2023 to the current Trade Ministry in the last Cabinet reshuffle by President William Ruto.

While appearing before the National Assembly’s Energy Committee on December 21, 2023, Energy Cabinet Secretary Davies Chirchir blamed the incessant nationwide blackouts on network overloads due to years of lack of investment in the country’s power generation and transmission capacity.

However, according to the petition filed before Justice Mugambi, Kengen spent Ksh79,324,783,562 on drilling geothermal wells between the year 2011 and 2015, but were never connected to the national grid.

The wells were financed through a loan from the Export-Import Bank of China, according to the court documents.

Despite the wells remaining idle, taxpayers continue to pay the principal sum and interest of the loans while at the same time paying through the nose for electricity procured from thermal Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

“No corresponding revenue had been realized to date and the Respondent did not give the details of when the wells are likely to be utilized in generation of power. As a result, there was no value for money obtained on the investment of Sh79,324,783,562 on drilling wells,” states the petition.

The petitioner also accuses the CS of allowing power transmission lines constructed by Kengen for Ksh4 billion in 2009 to be used by another company to generate revenue while committing taxpayers to service a loan used for their construction.

Also listed is the alleged irregular contract award for the construction of Hydro Plaza.

“Further, a review of procurement records revealed the works were initially awarded at a cost of Sh150,005,216 but the contract was terminated on nonperformance and subsequently awarded to another contractor at a contract sum of Sh261,264,205, an increase of or 74 percent of the earlier contract sum,” says the petition.

The case is expected to be mentioned before Justice Lawrence Mugambi on January 29, 2024 at the Milimani Law Courts.

The post CS Rebecca Miano Reason Why Kenyans Are Suffering With Huge Power Bills and Blackouts, Court Told appeared first on Daily Trends.

Did you know that you can now buy electricity tokens or settle your electricity bills using Safaricom bonga points?

Well, Safaricom and the Kenya Power and Lightening Company (KPLC) have partnered to enable their customers redeem their safaricom Bonga Points for power tokens.

Through the partnership, the companies’ domestic customers can now redeem their Bonga Points to purchase tokens or pay for their bills at the rate of 20 cents per Bonga Point.

But how can one successfully redeem Bonga Points for power tokens?

Well, at first, you need to dial *126#. You will then select the Lipa na Bonga Points option, which will appear at number one.

You will then be prompted to select whether you need to buy goods or pay bill. In this case, you require to enter option 2, which is pay bill.

You will then be asked to enter the business number. In this case, enter the KPLC business number that you normally use to buy tokens. You will enter 888880, or 888888.

You will then enter your KPLC meter number as your account number.

After that, you will be required to enter the amount you wish to spend. For example, if you enter Ksh 1,500, 5000 Bonga Points will be deducted.

You will then be prompted to confirm you transaction. If you accept, you will be required to enter your MPESA service pin to complete the transaction.

You will then be notified that your request has been received. You will be advised upon completion, where you will receive your Power units.

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