Man faces up to 30 years in prison for vandalising electric equipment

Kenya power technicians working on new power lines in Manyatta constituency. [Múríthi Múgo, Standard]

A man has been slapped with a 30-year jail term for vandalising electricity equipment in Nakuru county.

The suspect, Edwin Ngeno, has been sentenced to serve 30 years in prison or pay a fine of Sh.15 million for vandalizing a 600-meter electric conductor valued at Sh60,000.

Appearing before Nakuru Chief Magistrate, the suspect was charged with three counts of vandalism of energy equipment and infrastructure, theft of energy equipment, and unlawfully handling of energy equipment, contrary to section 169 of the Energy Act of 2019.

Ngeno was arrested on July 26, in possession of the equipment at Stoo Mbili in Njoro sub-county, Nakuru.

The incident follows a recent one where a suspect was arrested at Timau town in Meru county with similar charges and later sentenced to ten years in prison or pay a Sh5 million fine.

Kenya Power Security Services Manager Paul Gichovi lauded the judgment, saying that it would put a stop to similar crimes.

"Through collaboration with various government institutions, the Company has scaled up surveillance on its infrastructure in order to stamp out legal activities from the network. We call on the public to join this fight by reporting any suspicious activities on the network to the nearest police station or Kenya Power office," said Gichovi.