Villager loses money stashed in his mattress

Wycliffe Akala,42, when he was arraigned at the Kakamega Law Courts. [Mary Imenza, Standard]

A man has been charged with breaking into a house and making away with cash that had been stashed under a mattress.

Wycliffe Akala,42, was arraigned at the Kakamega Law Courts where he was accused of breaking into the house of Gilbert Kasitsa and stealing money that had been kept under a mattress.

Akala denied charges of stealing items worth Sh15,350 on the night of between April 13 and 14 this year at Shisiola Village.

"Accused plea of not guilty is recorded and is thereby admitted to a bond of Sh50,000 or a cash bail of Sh30,000," said Resident Magistrate Caroline Cheruiyot.

He faced an alternative charge of handling stolen items.

Prosecutor Moraa Atandi told the court that Kasitsa had locked his house with a padlock and went to his other home to spend the night there but when he returned the following day, he realised his house had been broken into.

"Accused broke into the residence of Gilbert Kasitsa, where he discovered a stash of money hidden beneath the mattress. Taking advantage of the situation, he proceeded to pilfer Sh7,000,a pair of open shoes, a bowl, a 3.2-litre thermos flask and other items in the house, leaving behind a scene of intrusion and theft," said Atandi

Atandi told the court that Kasitsa reported the incident to the area Assistant Chief who arrested suspect.

"He reported the matter to the area Assistant Chief, who summoned the suspect. They went to Akali's home and ransacked his house and found the stolen items," she said.

The matter will be mentioned on May 27.