Three in court for robbing a college student during Maandamano Monday
Three supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga who allegedly robbed a college student along Thika Superhighway while armed with knives and stones during Monday’s opposition protests were charged with robbery with violence contrary to section 296 (2) of the penal code.
They are Thomas Odhiambo Omondi, Joshua Mika Makona and Maxwell Omondi Were.
The three are accused of robbing Noah Kimeu Kimwele of his mobile phone valued at Sh11, 500 and cash Sh5000 near KCA University on March 20, 2023.
They were accused of committing the offence jointly with others at large and they used actual violence against Mr. Kimwele during the incident.
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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 the school when he met the group of protesters who were armed with crude weapons, including knives, stones, metal bars and rungus, at around 4 pm.
The protesters were attacking pedestrians as they marched along the highway.
Five procession members 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.
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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 the hearing starts on September 20, 2023.
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