Five businessmen had been charged at a Nairobi court with conspiracy to steal 70,000 liters of diesel worth Sh 13.6 million.
Douglas Macharia Maina, Dominic Kimotho, Enan Njuguma Mweha, and Lewis Musau Masaku were charged that on diverse dates between November 23 and December 23, 2023, within the republic of Kenya jointly with others not before the court, conspired to steal diesel worth Sh 13,580,000.
Separately, Douglas Macharia and Dominic Kimotho face another charge of handling stolen goods.
On diverse dates between November and December last year at, 360 petrol stations in Komarock within Nairobi county other than the course of stealing dishonestly received and retained 30,000 liters of diesel worth Sh 5,820,000 million, knowing that it was stolen goods.
Similarly, at Trojan Horse petrol station in Kiboko, Dominic Kimotho dishonestly received 10,000 liters of diesel worth Sh 1,940,000, having reasons to believe that they were stolen goods.
They appeared before the Milimani senior principal magistrate Bernard Ochoi and denied the charges.
Their defense lawyers pleaded with the court to release them on lenient terms, considering they are businessmen,
“My clients are businessmen and are now suffering huge economic losses after their arrest,” said a defense lawyer.
The lawyer also added that they are family men and sole breadwinners, so be considerate and grant them lenient cash bail.
The prosecution did not oppose their release on bond or cash bail.
The magistrate released them on a bond of Sh 2 million with one surety of a similar amount or alternative cash bail of Sh 500,000 with one contact person each.
The matter will be mentioned on February 2, 2024.