Two charged with using Moi’s name to steal car
What you need to know:
- Mr Rotich dismissed the argument, saying he had complied with the terms imposed by various courts that had granted him bail in his other criminal cases, and that he would obey any condition’s imposed in the present matter.
- Senior Principal Magistrate Felix Kombo deferred his release, saying the State had proven that he was required to help with investigations on the luxury vehicle thefts syndicate.
Two people have been charged with stealing a luxury car from a businessman by pretending to be retired President Moi’s agents.
Mr David Mutonga and Mr Ezekiel Rotich were Wednesday charged with stealing a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle worth Sh5.3 million at Kabarak University on January 20, last year.
Ten days later, they were found at the Busia customs border point trying to cross into Uganda to sell the car, according to the charges, which they denied.
They are said to have tricked Mr Zeki Wanyama Wanjala, an Eldoret-based motor dealer, into delivering the car to Kabarak University, where Mr Mutonga claimed to be an accountant.
They informed the trader that the retired President was interested in buying the brand new luxury vehicle and sent him Sh3,000 for fuelling the car, the court was told.
Mr Mutonga allegedly test-drove the vehicle at the university and then offered to buy Mr Wanjala and his colleague snacks at the institution’s restaurant.
Then, his phone rang and he excused himself to receive the call outside, but instead drove the car away and switched off his mobile phone, according to the prosecution.
CANCELLATION OF BAIL
Prosecutor Martin Rabera opposed Mr Rotich’s application for bail and said the suspect had many similar cases pending in Homa Bay, Kisumu, Nairobi and Nakuru.
He informed the court that a stolen luxury vehicle that is the subject in one of the cases had been found in Rwanda and was to be brought back to Kenya.
That, he argued, could see the State apply for cancellation of bail should the suspect’s request be granted.
Mr Rotich dismissed the argument, saying he had complied with the terms imposed by various courts that had granted him bail in his other criminal cases, and that he would obey any condition’s imposed in the present matter.
Senior Principal Magistrate Felix Kombo deferred his release, saying the State had proven that he was required to help with investigations on the luxury vehicle thefts syndicate.
However, the magistrate released Mr Mutonga on a Sh4 million bond with a surety of a similar amount. The case will be mentioned on February 5.
