MP, activists charged with damaging Sh13mn property
Nakuru East MP David Gikaria, blogger Elijah Kinyanjui and activist Boniface Mwangi in a Nakuru court on July 11, 2016 where they were charged with destroying property valued at Sh13 million. PHOTO | JOSEPH OPENDA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The MP was charged alongside activist Boniface Mwangi, Naka Primary School Head teacher Francis Mwangi, journalist Elijah Kinyanjui and Flamingo Ward representative Moses Gichangi.
- Appearing before Chief Magistrate David Kemei the five were charged that on May 19, 2016, at Naka area, in Nakuru County, they jointly damaged a perimeter wall, property of ENSE Limited.
Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria was on Monday charged afresh at a Nakuru Court with malicious damage of private property valued at Sh13 million.
The MP was charged alongside activist Boniface Mwangi, Naka Primary School Head teacher Francis Mwangi, journalist Elijah Kinyanjui and Flamingo Ward representative Moses Gichangi.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate David Kemei the five were charged that on May 19, 2016, at Naka area, in Nakuru County, they jointly damaged a perimeter wall, property of ENSE Limited.
The prosecution led by Hillary Songoyo, told the court that the five led protesters in destruction of the perimeter wall surrounding a controversial 10-acre parcel of land at the centre of a court battle between the school and the company.
According to the prosecution, the accused mobilized a group of youths and locals who invaded and damaged the property accusing the company of grabbing the parcel of land from Naka Primary School.
At first the MP declined to answer to the charges demanding an explanation from the court of why he was being charged for the second time for the same offence.
Chief Magistrate Kemei however, clarified that the charges the lawmaker was facing were fresh criminal ones instituted by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions which were different from the earlier charges.
Earlier last month Mr Gikaria was charged in the same court with similar charges he committed last year.
He was charged that on June 6, 2015, at Naka, jointly with others not before court, he damaged the property belonging to ENSE Limited valued at Sh7 million and stole more than 300 wheelbarrows and other items all valued at Sh2million. He had denied the charges.
The MP after the clarification reluctantly agreed to answer to the fresh charges which he also denied.
His four co-accused persons also denied the charges.
They were released on a Sh200,000 bond each with alternative cash bails of Sh50,000 each.
The court had last week issued a warrant of arrest against MCA Gichangi and extended further summons to the other four after they all failed to appear in court to take plea.
The hearing was slated for August 15.
The case will however be mentioned on July 25.
(Editing by Obed Simiyu)
