A court in Kitale has handed a 10-year prison sentence to a man found guilty of vandalizing and stealing power infrastructure belonging to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), a move authorities hailed as a major victory in the ongoing fight against energy infrastructure theft.
Kitale Chief Magistrate Samuel Mokua convicted Joel Nyongesa after he pleaded guilty to three counts under the Energy Act No. 1 of 2019. His co-accused, Charles Luchivia, denied the charges and will stand trial.
According to court records (File No. E2043/2025; Police Case No. PCR 905–907/2025), Nyongesa and Luchivia were arrested on September 17, 2025, in Matunda and Chemororoch within the North Rift region after a detailed investigation by officers from Kitale Police Station and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
Prosecutor Nancy Omari Nuaimi (PCI) told the court that between August 20 and August 24, 2025, the two, together with others still at large, willfully vandalized three transformers: serial numbers 88084, 2902, and ST2061216, worth Ksh5 million.
The prosecution further revealed that they stole copper windings and transformer oil valued at Ksh900,000 and were found handling stolen energy equipment contrary to the Energy Act.
Nyongesa faced an additional charge of attempted vandalism of another transformer (Serial No. 20220) valued at Ksh2 million on the night of August 17, 2025.
In his ruling, Magistrate Mokua emphasized that transformer vandalism causes massive financial losses to KPLC and disrupts power supply to essential services, including homes, schools, and hospitals.
“Such acts not only cripple the delivery of vital services but also endanger public safety and undermine national development efforts,” the Chief Magistrate stated.
The court sentenced Nyongesa to three separate 10-year prison terms, for vandalizing energy infrastructure, stealing energy equipment, and attempting to vandalize a transformer, all under Section 169(1) of the Energy Act. The sentences will run concurrently, effectively jailing him for 10 years, with a 14-day window to appeal.
KPLC and ODPP officials welcomed the ruling, describing it as a strong deterrent to future offenders.
“This conviction sends a clear message to those who target national energy infrastructure, such crimes will not go unpunished,” said Alfred Seroney, a prosecution witness from KPLC.
Meanwhile, the case against Charles Luchivia, who pleaded not guilty, will proceed to hearing on November 5, 2025, at the Kitale Chief Magistrate’s Court.
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