Nairobi — A court in Meru has sentenced a man to six years in prison for vandalizing and handling stolen electricity equipment.

Josphat Mureithi, the accused, was sentenced by Tigania Law Court Senior Resident Magistrate Ongira.

He was found in possession of the Kenya Power equipment that was hidden in his rabbit hutch.

Kenya Power's Security Services Manager, Stephen Muoka, termed the ruling a big boost to the company's effort to crack down on vandalism, theft of electricity, and other illegal activities within the network.

"We have scaled up surveillance on the network to get rid of any illegal activities that endanger the lives of the public and deny revenue to the Company," Muoka said.

"We thank the Judiciary for the support they have accorded us, which we are confident will go a long way to deter criminals."

Only a few days ago, a Kisumu Court also sentenced another man to 20 years behind bars for 12 counts of transformer vandalism, stealing, and handling stolen electricity equipment.

Polycarp Nyakaye is believed to be the mastermind of transformer vandalism in Ahero, Rabuor, Nyakach, and Seme in Kisumu County.

"We have scaled up surveillance on the network to get rid of any illegal activities that endanger the lives of the public and deny revenue to the Company," Nyakaye said.

"We thank the Judiciary for the support they have accorded us, which we are confident will go a long way to deter criminals," he said.