A Nakuru court has sentenced a man to 30 years imprisonment for vandalising a 600-metre electric conductor worth Sh60,000.
The court also gave Edwin Kiplangat Ngeno the alternative of paying a Sh15 million fine.
Kiplangat was arrested on July 26, 2023 in possession of the aforesaid conductor at Stoo Mbili township in Njoro, Nakuru.
The prosecution charged him with three counts including vandalism of energy equipment and infrastructure, stealing of energy equipment and unlawfully handling of energy equipment.
This is contrary to section 169 of the Energy Act of 2019.
Welcoming the judgement, Kenya Power and Lighting Company acting Security Services Manager Paul Nyaga Gichovi said it will serve to discourage similar crimes.
"Through collaboration with various government institutions, the Company has scaled up surveillance on its infrastructure in order to stamp out illegal activities from the network," he said.
"I wish to thank the Judiciary for the support that they have accorded this important exercise and 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."
KPLC noted that vandalism and theft of electricity is a risky move because of electrocution leading to death.
The company also warned that other people who are exposed to the sub-standard power connections may suffer electrocution too.
"In addition, these crimes compromise the quality of power supply and lead to loss of revenue by the Company," KPLC added.
