Man jailed 10 years for telecom vandalism in Taveta

Jacob Mutungi Matolo has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for vandalising telecommunications equipment worth Ksh5.1 million in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. Senior Principal Magistrate Cecilia Kithinji found that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Matolo for tampering with a telecommunications plant and stealing under Section 268 and 275 of the Penal Code.

The equipment, installed at the Kidongu Communication Tower owned by American Tower Corporation, was damaged and cut off between April and July 2025. The court heard that Matolo, along with other individuals, unlawfully accessed the facility, and the vandalised equipment was later recovered from him. Matolo has 14 days to appeal the conviction and sentence.

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