Pregnant woman, lover linked to robberies charged in Nyeri court
Alex Mathenge (right) and Vanesa Wambui appear before a Nyeri court on August 12, 2016. The two were on August 16, 2016 charged with four charges. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They were also charged of being in possession of a Ceska pistol with five rounds of ammunition.
- The prosecution told the court that the two were involved in a series of robberies and were among wanted criminals who committed violent crimes.
A pregnant woman and a man believed to be her boyfriend who were arrested last week in Nyeri town on suspicion of being gangsters were charged in court on Tuesday.
Mr Alex Mathenge Gathoni and Ms Vanensa Wambui Ndichu were charged with four counts of preparing to commit a crime and for being in illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
They were charged that on August 11, at Nanyuki terminus they were found armed with intent to commit a crime.
They were also charged of being in possession of a Ceska pistol with five rounds of ammunition.
The fourth charge accused them of consorting with a person in possession of a firearm.
The prosecution told the court that the two were involved in a series of robberies and were among wanted criminals who committed violent crimes.
The State counsel urged the court to deny Mr Gathoni bond or bail terms since he had just been released from the Nyeri Main Prison in King’ongo barely a week ago.
“The first accused is a habitual offender and was released from jail recently in a similar case of robbery with violence. He has not yet reformed and therefore he should be remanded,” said Mr Wanjohi, the State counsel.
Mr Mathenge, however, objected to the prosecution application saying that he should not be denied bond terms.
“I had been jailed for a crime I had not committed and even this one that is before the court I did not commit it. I should not be remanded for a crime I have not committed and which is pending before this court,” said Mathenge.
The two were first presented in court on Friday last week but could not take plea as police were yet to finalise investigations.
Ms Ndichu told the police that she is expectant and that the arresting officers manhandled despite knowing she was pregnant.
Resident magistrate Onesmus Towet ordered that Mr Mathenge be remanded in police custody but ordered release of his accomplice on a Sh200, 000 bond.
The case will be heard on September 15.
