Optic cables in Elgon view were accused of ruining optic cables by Jamii telecom. Governon Jackson Mandago allowed the county to excavate the ground which led to cables being cut into pieces and pulled down from poles. How much does the government owe? The faiba owner sued the county for KSh 25 million for damages caused but the court turned down the claims. The Uasin Gishu devolved unit had allowed Jamii Telecom to lay underground fiber cables but the company went ahead to erect poles and build overhead infrastructure. Instead of serving the firm a notice, the county arbitrarily pulled the cables without following due process, which led to the KES 1Mn fine. Giving the court’s ruling, Justice Stephen Kibunja said, “Having considered the circumstances of this matter, the need to remind the respondent that it must lead by example in adhering to the Constitution and the statute in carrying out its functions within its area of jurisdiction, and noting that the Petitioner was not itself without some blame …the court considers an award of Sh1 million to be sufficient compensation for infringement of the Petitioner’s right.”
