Man Jailed 10 Years for Vandalising Ksh5.1 Million Telecom Equipment

A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after a court convicted him of vandalising telecommunications equipment worth more than Ksh 5.1 million in Taveta, Taita Taveta County.

Jacob Mutungi Matolo was sentenced by Senior Principal Magistrate Cecilia Kithinji after the prosecution proved his involvement in the vandalism and theft.

Matolo faced two counts of tampering with a telecommunications plant and stealing. He also faced an alternative charge of handling stolen property.

Telecom equipment vandalised at communication tower

The offences were committed between April and July 2025 at Kidongu Communication Tower in Taita Taveta Sub-County.

According to evidence presented in court, Matolo was acting with others when they forcibly accessed the telecommunications facility and vandalised equipment belonging to American Tower Corporation.

Several components were severed during the incident, with the damaged equipment valued at Ksh5.1 million. Prosecutors said the equipment was targeted with the intention of stealing it.

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Investigations followed the vandalism, leading officers to Matolo and the recovery of some of the damaged items.

American Tower Corporation officers later identified the recovered property as equipment belonging to the company. The recovery formed part of the evidence presented against Matolo as investigators worked to establish his role in the incident.

Four witnesses testify as Matolo is convicted

Principal Prosecution Counsel Charles Mogaka led the prosecution team, which called four witnesses during the trial while the State also presented documentary and physical exhibits to support its case against Matolo.

After hearing the evidence, Magistrate Kithinji found that the prosecution had proved Matolo’s involvement in the offences beyond reasonable doubt.

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She consequently convicted him of tampering with a telecommunications plant under Section 32(c) of the Kenya Information and Communication Act, Cap. 411A.

Matolo was also convicted of stealing contrary to Section 268 as read with Section 275 of the Penal Code. The alternative charge related to handling stolen property under Section 322(1)(2) of the Penal Code.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison and given 14 days to appeal the conviction and sentence.

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Office of the director of public prosecutions
PHOTO/DPP