Safaricom calls for stern action on cable vandalism

By FREDRICK OBURA

Telecommunication service providers are pushing for a law to curb rising cable vandalism.

The operators claim the vice has had significant impact on their operations, a move that could hurt their businesses in the long run due to cost of replacements and repairs.

Leading mobile phone services provider, Safaricom, called for the fast-tracking of the proposed law against cable vandalism that it said would address the problem.

"The problem has occasioned the industry and the entire economy huge losses in missed revenues and other opportunity costs," said the firm in a statement.

"Over the last two days, Safaricom and other operators and their customers have borne the brunt of a series of cable cuts, which have stalled communication in certain areas."

In one such incident, the firm said a Kenya Data Networks (KDN) link was severed by a Nairobi Water & Sewerage Company works team at the junction of North Airport and Mombasa roads near City Cabanas yesterday, cutting off several Safaricom subscribers who could not relay data and voice traffic.

Deeper Slide

KDN is one of Safaricom’s data carrier partners. Such a fault would have been averted had the water utility’s team been aware of the KDN cables under the same ground they were digging up.

"We appreciate and encourage the work being done to fast-track new, stricter laws against cable vandalism," said Bob Collymore, Safaricom chief executive.

He added: "The practice is rampant because the penalties are lax. The proposed regulation will make cable vandalism less convenient."

There is a proposed amendment bill whose import would be to classify cable vandalism as economic sabotage and impose stiffer penalties on offenders.

The penalties include a fine of Sh5 million and a jail term of no less than 10 years.