Theft
Three young men have been charged before a Murang’a court with three counts of stealing livestock in parts of Murang’a East Sub County. The trio, Julius Mutua, Godfrey Sirikwa and Michael Njoroge who appeared before Principal Magistrate Edwin Nyaga denied the charges of stealing cattle from three homes on December 30, 2023 at Kimathi and neighbouring Mugeka locations.
In the first count, the three jointly with others not before the court, were accused that on the said date at around midnight, they stole a cow worth Sh60, 000 belonging to Susan Wanjiku at Gakanja village.
They were further charged with stealing two cows worth Sh80, 000, property of James Mwangi in neighbouring Itara village on the same night. In the third count, they were accused of stealing two dairy cows worth Sh. 250, 000 belonging to Michael Muita at Kikingo village, Mugeka location.
Mutua and Sirikwa were each released on Sh200, 000 cash bail, while Njoroge who attempted to escape, was detained in custody. According to the report by the case investigation officer, Njoroge who was admitted at Murang’a level 5 hospital after he was beaten and injured by a mob justice when they were cornered by villagers during the day of theft, attempted to escape from the hospital bed.
The prosecution told the court, the accused may not appear for his case hearing if released on cash bail or bond. The three will appear for hearing of their case on June 28, this year.