- George Odiyo has been sentenced to 6 years and 10 months in prison or a Ksh10.2 million fine for vandalizing and stealing from electricity infrastructure.
- He pleaded guilty to four charges, including vandalism, theft, handling stolen equipment, and unauthorized electrical installation.
- Kenya Power welcomed the ruling, seeing it as a strong deterrent against crimes targeting energy infrastructure.
In a ruling delivered on April 8, 2025, George Odiyo was sentenced to six years and ten months behind bars for his involvement in vandalizing electricity infrastructure in Western Kenya. The Kitale Law Courts handed down the sentence after Odiyo faced charges that included theft, vandalism, handling stolen goods, and performing unauthorized electrical installations.
The Kenya Power company confirmed the sentencing, emphasizing that Odiyo, a repeat offender, was caught after a pattern of similar illegal activities. He faced four charges, and on the first two, he was given a three-year sentence for each count, or an alternative Ksh5 million fine per count.
Specific Charges and Penalties
Odiyo’s third charge, which involved the possession of stolen energy equipment, resulted in a five-month prison term or a Ksh100,000 fine. His fourth charge, dealing with unauthorized electrical installations, also brought a five-month sentence, with the same fine alternative.
The court’s decision, according to Kenya Power, sends a strong message about the seriousness of vandalizing critical energy infrastructure.
Kenya Power’s Response
Kenya Power strongly supported the court’s action, noting that this ruling is a key step in their effort to combat vandalism and theft affecting the country’s energy infrastructure. The company has been actively working with law enforcement to fight these crimes, and this decision is seen as a significant deterrent.
Maj. Geoffrey Kigen (Rtd.), Kenya Power’s Security Services Manager, stressed the importance of continued vigilance: “This decision will help curb illegal activities on our network, and we remain committed to addressing these challenges.”
Public Appeal for Vigilance
Kenya Power has urged the public to stay alert and report any suspicious behavior around energy installations. The company is determined to curb the growing issue of electricity theft and vandalism, which significantly disrupts service delivery and safety.
