Kenyan courts have in the last three months handed down stiff penalties to 13 people found guilty of vandalizing electricity infrastructure worth millions in several parts of the country.
The rulings delivered between March and May 2026 highlight the gravity of electricity vandalism under the Energy Act, 2019, even as more than 10 cases remain pending in Kenyan courts.
In Eldoret, Chief Magistrate’s Court convicted three men on May 6th for vandalism and theft of energy equipment.
Ernest Kemboi and Amos Swahili were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for each count, while Isaac Maiyos was fined Sh5 million, or 10 years in default.
Two accused others, Victor Ndayala and Juliah Mburu, are still before the court, with mention set for May 25, 2026.
In Machakos County, Kithimani Law Court handed two men a 10 year-jail terms or a fine of Sh5 million each after being convicted of vandalizing a Kenya Power transformer worth more than Sh850,000.
The ruling found Stanley Mutia Nyamai alias Stano and Daniel Kamau Wambui alias Hunter guilty under Section 169 of the Energy Act for vandalism of energy installations and infrastructure. Exhibits linked to the crime, including transformer laminations, coils, bolts, Kenya Power overalls and approximately 140 litrres of transformer oil were found at the convicts’ premises.
In Vihiga County, Luanda Magistrates Court sentenced Martin Mutuku Mbiti and Joseph Imbaya Orubi to five years in prison each for vandalism of energy structure contrary to section 169 (1) (b) of the Energy Act No.1 of 2019.
Welcoming the court’s ruling, Kenya Power Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Eng. Joseph Siror said: “These convictions send a strong message to everyone that vandalism has no place in our society. It is a serious crime punishable by law. When vandalism occurs, it affects essential services, communities, and businesses, and this is something we must stop. As a Company we shall keep on working with communities and law enforcement agencies to ensure safe and reliable power supply to our customers.”
“In carrying out this campaign, we also want to thank the communities that are working with us to ensure that we continue to create awareness on anti-vandalism. Together, let’s protect our installations because when we shine, everyone shines,” added Dr. Siror.
Additional convictions in March and April include that of Richard Mureithi who was sentenced by Siakago Court to 10 years imprisonment or fine of Sh5 million on the first count and Sh2 million or two years imprisonment on the second count.
Iten Law Court fined Evans Kipkogei Kiprono Sh5 million or five years in jail, Rongo Magistrate Court sentenced Peter Ochieng Ogin and Kelvin Otieno Chabuya to 10 years in prison, Migori Law Courts fined Francis Itembe Nyahiri, Jonathan Robi Merengo and Samuel Mesegeso Marwa Sh50,000 each in default two years imprisonment and Kericho Law Courts sentenced Victor Langat to one year imprisonment for stealing energy infrastructure equipment.
Kenya Power has previously reported vandalism as a key issue in some parts of the country where communities go for days without power.
Through community interventions and relevant stakeholder engagements, the cases have significantly reduced, and the organisation is rallying the public to keep an eye on the power infrastructure under their collaborative campaign dubbed Pamoja Twang’aa.
To protect Kenya’s power infrastructure, the Energy Act 2019 outlines electricity infrastructure vandalism as a serious criminal offence which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of not more than five million Kenya Shillings or both.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
