Kenyan Restaurant Owner Jailed for Using Transformer Oil to Fry Potato Chips

A Nyandarua hotel owner was on Thursday sentenced to two years in prison or pay a Sh200,000 fine for selling potato chips fried using transformer oil.

Elijah Mwangi Muthoga, who operates a restaurant in Ol Kalou town, was arrested in December 2021 with 11 liters of transformer oil.

The court heard that the transformer oil was being used to cook chips at Muthoga’s hotel in addition to being repackaged for sale as popcorn cooking oil.

Muthoga’s co-accused Zachary Mwangi Gitau from whom he obtained the transformer oil, was sentenced to 10 years in prison or pay a fine of Sh10 million for vandalizing a 100kva transformer contrary to section 169 (1) of the Energy Act of 2019.

In a statement, Kenya Power welcomed the ruling, saying it is a boost to the State-run power distributer’s effort to fight transformer vandalism.

“This ruling is a big boost to the Company’s effort to fight transformer vandalism as the stiff penalties and jail terms will deter vandals,” said Kenya Power’s Ag. Manager for Security Services Maj. Paul Nyaga (Rtd).

Kenya Power cited the vandalism of transformers as one of the leading causes of power outages. 

"In addition to undermining the quality and reliability of the electricity supply, transformer vandalism poses a risk of electrocution and exposes the Company to financial losses in lost sales and the cost of replacing the transformers," said Kenya Power.