G4S suspects hit by hefty bond, more appear in court

By Nancy Akinyi

Suspects charged with the loss of Sh33 million from a G4S security van were shocked when the court slapped a Sh2 million bond and surety of similar amount on them.

As one group shed tears of relief — a sign that the bond was within their means — the other bemoaned its unaffordability.

Alternatively, Kibera Senior Principal Magistrate Grace Nzioka gave a Sh1 million cash bail to each of the accused persons.

The magistrate maintained that she had put into consideration the nature and seriousness of the offence and the fact that 14 suspects have been charged jointly with stealing Sh33 million.

Meanwhile, Paul Sirma and Christopher Nzioka, allegedly arrested after Sh500,000 was recovered from them in Mombasa, were the latest suspects to appear in the dock.

The suspects

They denied the charge.

The other suspects charged earlier are Simon Mwangi, Francis Ongera, Johnstone Kizeze, Suleiman Swalleh, Silvester Ngui, Alfus Wafula, Josephat Onderi, Vincent Cheruiyot, Jeremiah Koonyo, Erick Kihanya, John Wambugu and Zephania Lang’at.

Ironically, Lang’at was the initial investigator into the case.

A battery of advocates, led by Cliff Ombeta, pleaded with the court to release the suspects on a free bond.

In making the application, Ombeta urged the court to take into consideration that some of the suspects, whom he described as people of humble means, might not raise whatever bond the court would slap on them, but would be in danger if remanded with hardcore criminals given the nature of their job.

"Your honour, some officers have worked in apprehending hardcore criminals and some are listed as witnesses in such cases and if remanded, their lives are at risk," he said.

Police Inspector Francis Ndiema, prosecuting the case, did not object to release of the suspects on bond, adding that it was a constitutional right for a bailable offence.

It is alleged that the theft occurred at around 11am as a group went to feed the first batch into an ATM at Yaya Centre.