A disturbing video of another Kenya Power staff member being threatened with a machete while disconnecting power from a home in Mombasa has resurfaced, causing outrage among Kenyans. The video, captured by the power utility firm staff member identified as Briton on May 19, shows a man wielding a machete approaching him as he works atop a pole.
In the video, the aggrieved customer questions why his power supply is being disconnected despite claiming to have cleared his bills. He mentions that this is the second time his power has been cut off and expresses frustration that it is being disconnected from the pole rather than the meter box.
The Kenya Power staff member remains silent during the encounter and insists he will stay atop the pole until the man leaves. The identity of the man with the machete was not disclosed.
This incident follows the recent arrest of Kitui East Member of Parliament, Nimrod Mbai, for assaulting a Kenya Power employee who attempted to disconnect power from his Kitengela residence. The string of incidents has prompted Kenya Power CEO Joseph Siror to seek assistance from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in addressing the rising cases of illegal power connections.
In response, DCI boss Mohamed Amid has pledged support to tackle this issue, emphasizing the importance of dealing with the vice effectively. The video has sparked public outrage, highlighting the need for measures to ensure the safety of Kenya Power staff as they carry out their duties.
Such incidents highlight the challenges faced by utility workers in fulfilling their responsibilities and the importance of finding peaceful resolutions to billing disputes and power-related issues.