Two jailed in Nakuru for theft of maize

Alex Kemboi (right) and Joseph Loreng outside Nakuru Law court on January 2, 2020. [Daniel Chege, Standard]

Two thieves who broke into a stall and stole two bags of maize each weighing 100 kilogrammes have been jailed for two years. 

Nakuru Principal Magistrate Bernard Mararo jailed Alex Kemboi and Joseph Loreng after they admitted to the burglary charges.

“The accused are hereby sentenced to serve two years in prison each,” ruled Mr Mararo.

Kemboi and Lerong admitted that they broke into the stall owned by Margaret Wanjiru and stole the sacks worth Sh5,000.

They committed the crime on December 29, 2019, at Namba Nne area in Rongai Sub-county, Nakuru County.

Another complainant

The convicts also admitted that on the same day, they broke into another complainant, Musa Muyuya’s house, and stole his clothes.

“The accused broke into Mr Muyuya's house on December 29, 2019 and stole a black bag containing a long trouser and a white vest,” read the charge sheet.

“They illegally retained the bag and the two sacks of maize even though they were aware that they were stolen items.”

According to Serling Joyce, the prosecutor, after Ms Wanjiru's stall was broken into, the sacks that had developed holes left a trail of spilling maize grains that led to the suspects' house.

“Wanjiru and her neighbours followed the trail, which led them to the suspects,” said Ms Serling.

She added that when they entered the house, they found the bags of maize and the one containing the trouser and vest, which was later identified by Muyuya.

They alerted police who arrested the suspects and booked them at Menengai Police Station.

In mitigation, Kemboi asked for forgiveness saying his grandmother depends on him.

Loreng said he was forced to steal because he was hungry and had no food to sustain his family.

The two have 14 days to appeal the sentence. Wanjiru and Mayuya had their items returned by police.