Mbeere North Residents Demand Answers After Transformers Installed Before By-Election Are Taken Away

Residents of Mbeere North in Embu County are demanding an explanation after electricity transformers that had recently been installed in their villages were removed shortly after the constituency’s parliamentary by-election.

The transformers had been erected during the campaign period, raising hopes among hundreds of households that electricity would soon reach their homes. For many families, the installations symbolized long-awaited development that was expected to improve education, healthcare services, security, and local businesses.

However, those expectations were shattered when technical crews arrived with trucks and dismantled the newly installed transformers just days after voters had cast their ballots. The operation surprised many residents, who said they had not received any prior communication explaining why the equipment was being removed.

The incident triggered protests in several parts of the constituency as angry residents confronted the workers carrying out the exercise. Some attempted to stop the trucks from leaving, insisting that the transformers should remain because they had been installed to serve the local communities.

Mbeere North Residents accused leaders of using public development projects to win political support during the campaign before abandoning the promises after the election. They argued that such actions undermine public confidence and create the impression that government projects are only introduced to influence voters.

Mbeere North Community leaders called on both Kenya Power and the national government to explain the circumstances surrounding the removal. They said residents deserve transparency, especially after celebrating what they believed was a major milestone in expanding electricity access.

The controversy has also drawn political attention, with critics questioning the timing of both the installation and removal of the transformers. They argued that development projects should be planned and implemented based on community needs rather than political calendars.

Mbeere North Member of Parliament Leo Muriuki, popularly known as Leo Wa Muthende, sought to calm public concerns by stating that the transformers had not been withdrawn permanently. According to the legislator, Kenya Power had removed some of the equipment to carry out technical maintenance and quality checks before completing the electrification programme.

The Mbeere North MP assured residents that the transformers would be returned after the maintenance work was completed and urged the public not to view the exercise as the cancellation of the electricity projects.

Despite the reassurance, many residents remained skeptical. They questioned why the maintenance exercise had not been communicated in advance and wondered why it happened immediately after the by-election, fueling speculation that the installations had been politically motivated.

The incident has reignited debate over the use of public projects during election campaigns, with governance experts warning that essential infrastructure should never be perceived as campaign tools. They argue that development initiatives must be implemented consistently and transparently to build public trust.