The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has secured a 10-year prison sentence for a man convicted of vandalising telecommunications infrastructure worth more than KSh5.1 million in Taveta, Taita Taveta County.
Jacob Mutungi Matolo was sentenced by Senior Principal Magistrate Cecilia Kithinji after the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that he tampered with and vandalised a telecommunications plant belonging to American Tower Corporation.
Matolo faced two counts of tampering with a telecommunications plant contrary to Section 32(c) of the Kenya Information and Communication Act, Cap. 411A, and stealing contrary to Section 268 as read with Section 275 of the Penal Code. He also faced an alternative charge of handling stolen property.
The court heard that between April and July 2025, Matolo, acting with others, forcibly accessed the Kidongu Communication Tower and vandalised equipment valued at KSh5,118,546 with the intention of stealing it.
Investigators later recovered the vandalised items from Matolo, with American Tower Corporation officers positively identifying the property.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Charles Mogaka presented four witnesses alongside documentary and physical exhibits.
The court convicted Matolo and sentenced him to 10 years in prison. He was granted 14 days to appeal.
