Boda boda rider charged with violent robbery
A bodaboda rider suspected to be a member of a gang of more than 30 that raided a construction site in Nairobi and robbed three guards of phones and cash before destroying the property is battling violent robbery charges.
Godfrey Wandera is facing three counts of robbery with violence.
He was accused of robbing Duyan Malani of a mobile phone worth Sh3000 and cash Sh200 while armed with claw bars, sledgehammers, and daggers on March 20, 2023.
He was also charged with robbing Peter Kamau and Benson Muturu of mobile phones worth different amounts of money on the same day.
The suspect is accused of carrying out the robberies jointly with others including seven who have been charged with the same offences.
The accused person is accused of using actual violence on the complainant during the alleged robbery.
Mr Wandera was also charged with preparation to commit a felony contrary to section 308 (1) of the penal code after he was reportedly found with three litres of petrol and four old tyres in circumstances that indicate he was armed with intention of committing an offence of arson at the time of his arrest in Thome Estate.
He was also charged with malicious damage to property contrary to section 339 (1) (2) of the penal code where he is accused of willfully and unlawfully destroying a gate, 11 windows and two doors all valued at Sh300, 000 belonging to Joseph Kamau Kahunga on the same date.
Mr Kahunga had hired the three guards to protect his construction site where he is putting up a residential building.
On March 20, 2023, at around 3am, the watchmen were attacked by more than 30 men who were armed with crude weapons including claw bars, sledgehammers, and daggers.
The watchmen were tied with ropes, robbed of their valuables, and injured with crude weapons by the thugs who proceeded to destroy the items in the compound they were guarding.
The thugs later left the venue and police arrived at the scene to find the guards still tied with ropes.
Mr Wandera’ seven accomplices were charged with same offences on March 21, 2023, and were granted a Sh1 million bond.
Mr Wandera was also traced and arrested in the same area.
He denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Mary Njagi.
Prosecution counsel Myra Chepkwony opposed bail and bond terms for the suspect claiming police are still pursuing the other accomplices and releasing him on the bond would jeopardize the efforts to arrest them.
Mr Wandera was remanded in custody until April 27, 2023, when the court will rule on bail and bond terms.
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