Today's Headlines
- Lessons and Implications of the Confirmation of Charges Against Kenya's 'Ocampo Four'
- Finance Minister Quits Over ICC Charges
- Shortage of HIV Test Kits Raises Concerns
- Living On the Edge in Turkana Region
- Ali Breaks Silence, Describes Delight At Acquittal
- Uhuru, Ruto Eligible for Presidency - CIC
- Tea Sector Posts Record Earnings in 2011
- Resettle IDPs, Urges Annan
- Uhuru, Muthaura Have Done the Right Thing
- All Displaced People Should Return Home
- Concern Raised As Parents Shun Schools in Poll Violence Hotspots
- Ruling On IEBC Hiring in February
- Country Working Towards Conditions Needed for Direct Flights to U.S.
- How ICC Claimed Kibaki's Lieutenants
- Geothermal Project to Receive Sh10 Billion Funding Boost
- Five Million to Get IDs Before Elections
- Speed Up Building Port
- Uhuru and Muthaura Did Well to Quit Posts
- A Full Plate Awaits Githae
- Clashes Continue in Moyale
- Baraza Case to Be Heard Monday
- Two Firms in Joint Venture to Drill for Oil Near Lodwar
- Exit Uhuru, Muthaura
- ICC Charges Hound Uhuru Out of Treasury
- Consumers Grow Despite Inflation
- Poor Relations Between Banks Blamed for Cash Shortages
- Fish Prices Up As Vegetable Supply Dwindles
- Consumers to Pay More for Milk and Bread As Prices Rise
- Kibaki Tasks Ex-Dar CJ to Lead Probe in Kenya
- Mombasa Port Cargo Congestion Forces Three-Month Fees Waiver
8 September 2010
Nairobi — The Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) is set to initiate the process of replacing conventional transformers in vandalism-prone areas with new types that do not use oil in a bid to beat vandals.
The firm has already tendered for supply of about 100 dry type transformers to be installed in Kiambu, Nyeri, Thika, Dagoretti Corner, Ruiru, Gatundu, Limuru and Kitengela which experience high cases of theft.
The power firm's operations and maintenance manager Noah Omondi said losses attributable to vandalism amount to an average of Sh600 million per year with the economy losing over Sh2 billion.
Hard to dismember
He said unlike the conventional ones, the dry type contains no oil and its copper windings are encapsulated in a tough epoxy resin material making it hard for vandals to dismember.
Dry type transformers are mainly installed in basement buildings such as big supermarkets and high rise buildings in other parts of the world.
This is meant to prevent fire hazards associated with traditional oil type transformers in use.
KPLC has also begun installing intruder alarm systems on its power equipment on a pilot basis, mounting transformers high up on the voltage lines to discourage vandals and relocating regularly vandalised transformers to safer grounds.
In the past, copper windings and electricity cables were main targets for vandals but the focus has since shifted to transformer oil after KPLC successfully lobbied the government for a ban in the export of scrap metal in 2008.
