Nairobi: 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.
According to Kenya News Agency, in Eldoret, the 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 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 litres 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 that vandalism is a serious crime punishable by law. He emphasized the impact of vandalism on essential services, communities, and businesses and reaffirmed Kenya Power's commitment to working with communities and law enforcement agencies.
Additional convictions in March and April include Richard Mureithi, who was sentenced by Siakago Court to 10 years imprisonment or a 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, while 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 organization 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 offense punishable by up to 10 years in prison or a fine of not more than five million Kenya Shillings or both.