Woman Faces Charges Over Ksh.1.6 Million Stolen Copper Cables in Nairobi

A Nairobi woman, Sheilah Chao Mwaikwasi, has been charged with handling stolen copper cables valued at over Ksh.1.6 million. Several bags of the high-voltage copper cables and related components were presented in court on Wednesday as evidence

Investigating officer Nicholas Ole Sina told the court that the recovered items included equipment from Safaricom, KETRACO, and American Towers Corporation. He explained that such cables, often vandalized, have a street value of approximately Ksh.1,000 per kilogram

Ole Sina further stated that Mwaikwasi did not possess the legally required registration certificate and could not provide documentation or contact information proving the source of the copper

During cross-examination, the officer admitted there was no direct documentation linking the recovered items to KETRACO, and the cables lacked identification

However, a witness identified and labeled the bags. He also confirmed that Mwaikwasi is licensed as an importer but could not provide proof of where the copper was obtained

Mwaikwasi’s lawyer told the court that the accused purchased the cables from various suppliers, including East Africa Cables, Esco Uganda Limited, Tanaleco in Tanzania, a Chinese company, and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia. Some items were also acquired from Lake Turkana and Phillips International auctioneers

The charges against Mwaikwasi, under Section 169(1)(c) of the Energy Act No. 1 of 2019, include handling high-voltage earthing copper and components used for 132KV, 220KV, and 400KV installations belonging to KETRACO, as well as copper windings, earthing wires, and bus bars belonging to KPLC, KeNHA, and ATC

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Investigators allege that Mwaikwasi knew, or had reason to believe, that the copper was stolen or unlawfully obtained. The prosecution highlighted that such items are frequently targeted by vandals and scrap metal dealers

Mwaikwasi has denied all charges. Both prosecution and defense have indicated they will not submit further arguments at this stage

Trial magistrate Robinson Ondieki is expected to deliver a ruling on November 17, 2025

Writer : Mweru Mbugua