Man gets 10 years for vandalising Sh5.1m telecoms equipment in Taveta
Matolo faced two counts of tampering with a telecommunications plant and stealing, alongside an alternative charge of handling stolen property.
In September 2025, a man named Jacob Mutungi Matolo was sentenced to 10 years in prison for vandalising telecommunications infrastructure in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. The equipment, valued at Sh5.1 million, belonged to American Tower Corporation and was targeted for theft. Matolo was found guilty of tampering with a telecommunications plant and stealing.
The offences took place between April and July 2025 at the Kidongu Communication Tower. The prosecution presented evidence that Matolo, along with others, forcibly gained access to the facility and sabotaged the equipment. After the trial, the court found sufficient evidence implicating Matolo and sentenced him to 10 years in prison, allowing him 14 days to appeal the conviction and sentence.
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