Kisii chicken thief sentenced to one year imprisonment

By Kenan Miruka and Joseph Muchiri

A man who stole three chickens has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by a Gucha court, Kisii County.
Daniel Nyamoke Nyabuto committed the offence on June 20, 2013 at Nyachenge sub-location in Nyamache district. He appeared before Ogembo Principal Magistrate Daniel Ogola and admitted stealing three chickens worth Sh 900, the property of Naftal Kinyanga Ogega.
The court heard that on the said date, the complainant left for a nearby market leaving in his compound the poultry. While at the market, he spotted the accused carrying the hens in a basket. When the accused saw him, he started walking away hurriedly raising suspicions.
Upon return to his home, the complainant realised his chicken were missing and immediately reported the matter to the village elder. Three days later, he was called by the elder and informed that the accused had been arrested at Mogonga Market while trying to sell the chicken.
He proceeded to the market and identified the chicken but two were not recovered. The accused admitted the facts and was convicted on his plea of guilt.
In mitigation, he sought forgiveness vowing not to re-offend. “The court finds that the accused is a confessed petty thief who needs a custodial sentence to act as deterrence to him,” Ogola.
Elsewhere, a man suspected to be part of gang that has been robbing motorcycles in Embu was lynched by boda boda riders on Thursday morning.
Benard Muthee Macharia, 34, from Mukimbi in Nyandoro area was reportedly in a matatu travelling from Embu town towards Runyenjes when people identified him and called others to waylay him.
Embu West deputy County Commissioner Daniel Obudo said boda boda riders and members of the public blocked the matatu the deceased was travelling in at Mutunduri and dragged him out.
“The riders alleged that he had been involved in a recent motorcycle robbery in which the owner was hit on the head with a blunt object and seriously injured. His body was still burning when police arrived at the scene,” said Obudo.
He said the deceased was among recently released jailbirds with a criminal history.
An eyewitness, Martin Muriithi, said the deceased confessed to have been involved in the robbery before he was set on fire.
Miriithi further claimed that the deceased was set ablaze at the spot where a rider was cut on the head and his motorcycle stolen a week ago.
Obudo who led a contingent of police officers to the scene said the body was taken to the Embu Provincial General Hospital mortuary.
He cautioned the public against taking engaging in mob justice pointing out that the law presupposes one is innocent until proven guilty.