A man convicted of vandalizing telecommunications infrastructure valued at more than KSh5.1 million in Taita Taveta County has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Jacob Mutungi Matolo was handed the sentence by Senior Principal Magistrate Cecilia Kithinji after the prosecution established his involvement in the destruction and attempted theft of equipment at a telecommunications facility.
The case involved a communication tower in Kidongu, Taita Taveta Sub-County, where telecommunications equipment valued at KSh5,118,546 was vandalized between April and July 2025.
According to the prosecution, Matolo, alongside other individuals, gained unauthorized access to the facility and damaged and severed equipment with the intention of stealing it.
The stolen and vandalized equipment was later recovered during investigations and identified by security personnel representing American Tower Corporation, the owner of the telecommunications plant.
Matolo had been charged with two counts relating to interference with a telecommunications plant under the Kenya Information and Communication Act, as well as stealing under the Penal Code. An alternative charge of handling stolen property was also presented.
The prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Charles Mogaka, called four witnesses and presented both documentary and physical evidence to the court.
After considering the evidence, Magistrate Kithinji ruled that the prosecution had sufficiently demonstrated Matolo’s involvement in the offences and convicted him.
The court subsequently imposed a 10-year prison term. Matolo was also given 14 days to appeal against the conviction or sentence.
