Man denies Sh1.2m nuts theft

Boiler attendant James Muriuki Gerald at the magistrate courts in Meru on August 13, 2019 [File: Standard]

A boiler attendant at a troubled Meru macadamia processing factory yesterday denied stealing nuts worth almost Sh1.2 million.

James Muriuki Gerald appeared before Resident Magistrate Maureen Odhiambo and denied stealing the nuts on diverse dates between May and July 24, 2019, at the factory's Kenya Industrial Estates godowns in Meru town.

The boiler attendant who was unrepresented, is alleged to have stolen the nuts belonging to Meru Equatorial Nuts Company Limited.

The prosecution did not oppose the suspect's release on bail. Magistrate Odhiambo released the accused on a Sh350,000 bond or a Sh200,000 cash bail.

Nine witnesses who include workers at the firm and the investigating officer are listed as State witnesses in the case which will and mentioned on August 22 and heard from September 29, 2019.

Meru's only macadamia processing factory has been dogged by infighting between directors over its control.