Two Transformer Vandals Jailed 11 Years as Crackdown Intensifies

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has welcomed the sentencing of two men convicted of vandalising electricity transformers and stealing energy equipment belonging to Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC).

Amos Swahili and Ernest Kemboi were on Monday sentenced to 11 years in prison each by the Butali Law Courts after being found guilty of the offences.

In a statement, the DCI said the court ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt before handing down the custodial sentences.

“Yesterday, February 23, 2026, the Butali Law Court found the two guilty of the charges, acknowledging that the case had been proven beyond reasonable doubt, thus sentencing each to eleven years imprisonment,” the agency said.

The two had allegedly wreaked havoc across parts of the North Rift and Western regions through a series of transformer vandalism incidents that left several areas without electricity.

According to the DCI, the suspects were tracked down and cornered in Elgeyo Marakwet County on July 15, 2025, during a joint operation involving detectives attached to KPLC.

TRANSFORMERS VANDALS SENTENCED TO ELEVEN YEARS BEHIND BARS

The DCI welcomes the sentencing of two suspects who were found guilty for vandalising Kenya Power and Lighting Company(KPLC) transformers and stealing energy equipment.

Amos Swahili and Ernest Kemboi who had… pic.twitter.com/tZuBTSWRwU

— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) February 24, 2026

“Amos Swahili and Ernest Kemboi, who had notoriously darkened parts of the North Rift and Western regions with a series of transformer vandalism, were cornered in Elgeyo Marakwet on July 15, 2025, by detectives attached to KPLC,” the statement read.

They were subsequently arrested and arraigned in court.

Even as they begin serving their sentences, the two convicts will continue to face similar charges pending before the Iten and Eldoret Law Courts.

“While spending time behind bars, the two agents of darkness will battle similar charges that are currently ongoing at Iten Law Courts and Eldoret Law Courts,” the DCI added.

The investigative agency described the sentencing as a major step in the fight against vandalism of critical infrastructure.

“The sentencing is a vital milestone in efforts to combat vandalism of critical national installations across the country,” the DCI said.

Authorities have in recent months intensified crackdowns on vandalism targeting power infrastructure, citing the heavy financial losses and widespread blackouts caused by such criminal activities.