Two men sentenced to 11 years for vandalising Kenya Power transformers

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the two; Amos Swahili and Ernest Kemboi, were behind a string of transformer vandalism incidents that left parts of the North Rift and Western regions without electricity.

The suspects were cornered on July 15, 2025, in Elgeyo Marakwet during an operation by detectives attached to Kenya Power, arrested, and later arraigned in court.

On February 23, 2026, the Butali Law Courts found the two guilty, ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt before sentencing each of them to 11 years’ imprisonment.

Authorities noted that the convicts still face similar charges in separate cases pending before courts in Iten and Eldoret.

The DCI described the sentencing as a significant milestone in the ongoing crackdown on vandalism targeting critical national infrastructure, warning that such acts pose serious risks to power supply, economic activity, and public safety.