Police in Igembe, Meru County, have arrested two suspects believed to be behind an illegal electricity connection syndicate in the area.

According to a Directorate of Criminal Investigations report, a team of detectives attached to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) arrested Japhet Kirimi, aka Senator, a wanted suspect linked to electricity theft, illegal electricity supply to unauthorised third parties and damage to KPLC infrastructure in Igembe North and South areas.

"Acting on credible intelligence, the detectives targeted Mpinda village, where they uncovered an extensive underground electricity network," said the DCI.

Police say that Kirimi and his accomplice Ibrahim Gituma operated over 21 unauthorised borehole pumps, providing water to numerous miraa farms in areas including Mpinda village, Kabuitu, Kanyakine, Muthucine and Mangala.

None of the borehole pumps were metered, police say.

"The clandestine underground network, secretly linked to the KPLC grid, has wreaked havoc, leading to the failure of approximately 14 transformers and forcing costly replacements estimated at Sh21 million," read the statement.

It added that the revenue lost through the illegal supply of power to the 21 boreholes over the last four years is valued at approximately Sh90.7 million.

The suspects are currently in custody, undergoing processing pending arraignment.