A woman has been charged with several counts of dishonesty retaining earthing copper wire worth over Sh 3 million.
Sheilah Chao Mwaikwasi is accused that on 30th day of January, 2024 at Industrial Area in Nairobi County, otherwise than in the course of stealing, dishonestly received or retained 1292 kilograms of High voltage Earthing copper to wit 10mm 3 mm copper bars used for 132KV installations, 70 sq. mm copper cable used for 132KV installations, 10mm and 70 sq. mm hole lugs for identified 132KV cables and bars G 20*4mm copper bars used for 220KV installations, 95 sq. mm copper cable used for 220KV installations, 20mm and 95 sq. mm hole lugs for identified 220KV cables and bars, 120 sq. and 95 sq.mm cable used for 400KV installations and 120 sq.mm lugs used for 400KV installations valued at Kshs. 1,679,600 the property of Kenya Transmission Company (KETRACO) knowing or having reason to believe them to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.
Mwaikwasi is also charged with dishonestly receiving or retaining 330 kilograms of copper winding valued at Sh 429,000, the property of Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) knowing or having reason to believe them to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.
In addition, the accused is charged with dishonestly retaining 197.5 kilograms of copper earthing wires valued at Sh 217, 250, the property of Safaricom (K) Limited.
Other charges include dishonestly retaining 134 kilograms of copper earthing wires to wit 2.5mm twin earth copper, 10mm two cables, 25mm copper cables valued at Sh 147,400 the property of Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) and 139 kilograms of earthing copper, copper bus bars, yellow green copper wires and DCDB copper cables valued at Sh 500,000 the property of American Towers Corporation (ATC) knowing or having reason to believe them to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.
She denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki and was released on cash bail.