A man dealing in the scrap metal trade in Athi River has been slapped with a Sh5 million bond for vandalising property belonging to Kenya Power and Lighting Company.
Josephat Mutua Mutuku alias Mrefu pleaded not guilty to the three counts leveled against him when he appeared at Mavoko Law Court on Wednesday.
Mutuku was issued a Sh5 million bond with a surety of the same amount or an alternative Sh2 million cash bail.
He faces two counts; Vandalism with intent to interfere with the operation of the licencee contrary to Section 168 (4) (b) of the Energy Act No 1 of 2019, and Handling of energy equipment contrary to Section 169 (1) (C) of the Energy Act NO 1 of 2019.
In the first charge according to the prosecution, the suspect on the diverse dates of July 31, 2022, and May 18, 2023, at Mua in Mavoko subcounty, jointly with others not before court vandalised four spans of 11 Kv high voltage transmission conductors valued at Sh600, 000 under the control of KPLC.
The suspect was arrested on May 18, 2023, and processed at Athi River police station before he was released on Sh300, 000 police cash bail.
In the second count, the suspect is said to have dishonestly retained 800 metres of vandalised 11Kv High voltage transmission conductors weighing 134.5 Kgs stashed in five bags, assorted copper earthlings and conductors, transformer fuses, lags, droppers and switch gear plates, the property of KPLC.
The case’s mention was slated for June 2, 2023.
