BY IRENE ONYANGO.
A woman has been charged with handling over 1000 equipment worth Sh2.9 Million belonging to a government agency.
Sheilah Chao Mwaikasi was arraigned before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitumbi and denied the charges.
Chao was accused that in the course of stealing, dishonestly 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 bas 20*4mm copper bars used for 220KV installations and 95 sq. mm copper cable used for 220KV installations, belonging to the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco)..
The woman was also found in possession of 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 worth Sh1,679,600.
She was allegedly found with the equipment on 30th January this year at Industrial Area along Lunga Lunga road in Embakasi South Sub County,
She was further charged with dishonestly retaining 330 kilograms of copper windings worth Sh429,000 the property of Kenya Power and Lightening Company (KPLC) knowing that they are stolen.
The court heard that Chao also received 197.5 kilograms of copper Earthing wires valued at Sh217,250 the property of Safaricom (K) Limited knowing that the same cables were stolen.
Chao was also accused of being in possession of the copper cable wires of other government entities including Kenya National Highway Authority (KENHA) and American Towers Cooperation (ATC) knowing that they were unlawfully obtained.
She was released on a cash bail of Sh 100,000.
