By MAUREEN AWOUR
Kisumu , Kenya: More than 20 youth arrested in connection with riots that rocked Kisumu County after the Supreme Court’s verdict on the presidential election petition have been charged in court.
They appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Rwito Angelo Kithinji at the Maseno Law Courts yesterday where they faced different charges.
Nine of the suspects were charged with robbery with violence of goods valued at Sh10 million. The goods were allegedly stolen from Ms Elizabeth Okore at Kondele estate in Kisumu town.
Caleb Makulundu, Fenny Oyuga, Annet Adhiambo, Phillip Odiwuor, Cornel Ngesa, Anthony Osino, Stephen Owuor, Morine Achieng and Amos Ochieng denied committing the offence on March 30 and were released on a Sh1 million bond with surety of a similar amount. The hearing is set for May 9.
Andrew Kevogo, Walter Atieno and Jared Opiyo were charged with breaking into a hotel belonging to Simon Karanja and stealing goods worth Sh230,000 at Kondele estate.
They were released on Sh200,000 bond each with surety of a similar amount. Mention was fixed on April 6 and hearing May 7. A matatu driver and boda boda operator were also arraigned in court for breaking into a milk bar, butchery and cyber café.
Jared Okechi and Maurice Ong’ele were accused of stealing property worth Sh2.3 million at Carwash estate belonging to Mr Osborn Kipyego.
They pleaded not guilty and were released on Sh1 million bond and surety of a similar amount. Hearing was fixed on May 6. Nine others were charged with taking part in riots on March 31 at Kondele. Their case will be heard on May 9 and mention in two weeks time. They were released on Sh100,000 bond.
