Azimio protestors slapped with robbery charges
By Joseph NdundaThree people have been slapped with robbery charges after they reportedly stole from a college student along the Thika superhighway during the countrywide demonstrations called by opposition leader Raila Odinga on March 20, 2023.
They are Thomas Odhiambo Omondi, Joshua Mika Makona, and Maxwell Omondi Were.
The trio is accused of robbing Noah Kimeu Kimwele of his mobile phone valued at Sh11, 500 and Sh5000 in cash near KCA University.
They were accused of committing the offence jointly with others at large and they used actual violence against Mr. Kimwele during the incident.
The three are also accused of taking part in unlawful public procession contrary to section 85 (11) of the Public Order Act where they are accused of joining the protests.
Mr. Kimwele was walking to his house in Mathare slums from school when he met the group of protesters who were armed with crude weapons including knives, stones, metal bars and rungus at around 4pm.
The protesters are said to have been attacking pedestrians as they marched along the highway.
Five members of the procession accosted Mr Kimwele and wrestled him to the ground while assaulting him with blows and sticks.
The suspected thugs ransacked his pockets and robbed him of the phone and the cash.
They allegedly threatened to stab him with a knife during the incident.
Three officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Starehe offices who were on patrol in the area witnessed the incident and pursued the thugs who had robbed Mr. Kimwele.
They arrested the three suspects in court as their accomplices escaped. A mobile phone was recovered from the suspects and Mr. Kimwele identified them as the assailants who had robbed him.
The suspects were escorted to Pangani police station where investigations were carried out before they were arraigned.
The three denied the charges before Principal magistrate Helen Okwani of Makadara Law Courts.
They were released on a bond of Sh500, 000 without an option of cash bail.
The case will be mentioned on June 14, 2023, before hearing starts on September 20th this year.
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