City Businessmen Charged with Stealing Shoes Worth KES 10.9M to Remain in Custody

Phoebe Wakaine Mwangi, Charles Maina Thogo and Elijah Ndirangu Njenga jointly with others who were not before court were charged with stealing shoes worth 10.9 million property of Pauline Njeri.

The prosecution told the court that on diverse dates between December 10 and 13, 2023 at Kamukunji area within Nairobi county in the republic of Kenya stole the said assorted shoes.

Faith Wakaine Mwangi and Charles Maina Thogo each faced another charge of handling stolen goods contrary with the law.

On December 13, 2023 at Kamulu area within Nairobi county otherwise than in the course of stealing they dishonestly undertook the disposal and retained 10 sacks of assorted shoes from Japal Shop and store knowing or having reason they were stolen goods.

The two is a couple  operating different shops at Kamukunji area in Nairobi county.

Separately Elijah Ndirangu was further charged with receiving and retaining 25 sacks of assorted shoes from Japal Shop and store knowing or having reason to believe that they were stolen goods.

They appeared before the Milimani senior principal magistrate Dolphina Alego and denied the charges.

Through his sworn affidavit the officer investigating the matter inspector Sammy Shamalla requested the court not to release the accused persons on bond citing that the Investigation is not concluded in the recovery of the shoes,

“Your honor I would request this court not to release the accused persons on bond at this stage since we believe this is a big syndicate and we are expecting to recover the shoes and arresting their accomplices,” he said.

The officer said that they are yet to conclude the process of recovery and releasing them on bond might affect the process.

The officer requested the court to hold them for 30 days before granting bond so that the process of recovery will be conducted smoothly since they can interfere with the process if released.

He also termed the accused to be flight risk, “

“Your honor the accused are flight risk and one Elijah Ndirangu was arrested while in hiding,” he convinced.

Their defence lawyers opposed the request of the officer by saying that his sworn affidavit is based on mere suspicion without being coded with reasons.

They differ with the officer that their clients are flight risks,

“The first and second accused persons is a couple and they were arrested at their home in Kamulu area hence not a flight risk since their place of abode is known,” said the lawyer.

The court also heard that the third accused person was arrested at Githurai while in the run.

The defence convinced the court that the accused are very well known businessmen in the city and they will comply with orders to be set by the court.

The court further heard that the accused persons were arrested on December 12, 2023 and they had been in custody until today when they were arraigned,

“The accused had been in custody for more than seven days and they have young children whom they don’t know how they are since they were apprehended,” said Mrs Jelang’at referring to the couple.

The lawyer also told the court that while her clients in custody the police officers raided their home and she said there is need to alert the court on the same.

The prosecutor objected the claims of the raid by responding to the lawyer to report the issue and write a statement.

The defence pleaded with the court for the release of their clients with reasonable and affordable terms urging the court not to consider the figures indicated on the charge sheet.

The prosecution supported the plea of the officer and urged the court to give ample time for the completion of the process of recovery.

The magistrate directed the accused to be detained in police custody until December 28, 2023 when he will give the ruling on bond terms.