This could sound a strong warning to people who have resorted to vandalizing cables across the country.
The revelation comes in the wake of an appeal made by Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore.
Collymore says Cable vandalism still poses a serious threat to the growth of the telecommunications industry in Kenya due to the huge operating losses incurred.
“Until we criminalise cable vandalism, the cost of maintenance and replacement of vandalised cables is always going to be high,” said Collymore.
The law is yet to recognise cable theft as a serious threat to communications, but the Communications Commission of Kenya is pushing its case in order to punish culprits and discourage the vice.
According to the Kenya Communications (Amendment) Act, any person found guilty of cable vandalism is liable to a five-year jail term or a fine of Sh1 million.
A week ago, Safaricom subscribers were thrown off the network following a fibre cable cut at Museum Hill due to ongoing road construction.
BRIAN ADERO in Nairobi, Kenya
