Man charged over stolen vehicle linked to State House

A man suspected of being involved in the theft of a missing vehicle linked to the presidency was Monday charged before a Nakuru court.

Police believe Aggrey Odhiambo Ochieng to be behind a spate of serious crimes, including the recent theft of the vehicle.

The prosecutor Cosmas Ikunywa asked Senior Principal Magistrate John Mwaniki to order Mr Ochieng be kept at the Nakuru Central Police Station as police worked to conclude their investigations.

Mr Ikunywa told the court that the suspect had offered to give them information pertaining to the theft of the vehicle.

ILLEGAL FABRICATIONS

Police sources claimed that the stolen car underwent illegal alterations at Mr Ochieng’s garage before it disappeared.

“We have good leads and we believe that the suspect will help us unravel the mystery,” said a police source.

The vehicle was stolen last Wednesday when its official driver, Mr David Machui, was driving back to his house.

However, presidential spokesman Manoah Esipisu immediately denied that the vehicle was part of the presidential escort fleet, saying that it belonged to the Police Service.

Although State House has refuted claims that it was a presidential escort vehicle and that it was not armoured, it is true that the vehicle was being driven by a presidential escort driver when it was stolen.

ANOTHER STOLEN VEHICLE

Mr Ochieng was also charged with being in possession of another stolen motor vehicle, with registration number KBR 870Y.

The vehicle was allegedly found parked at his garage at London Estate, on the Nakuru-Kabarak road on August 30.

Mr Ochieng, who appeared in court in his work apron, faced a second charge of being in possession of a home-made gun without a firearm certificate.

The case with be mentioned in a week’s time to monitor the progress of investigations and to review the suspect's bail application.

The case will be heard on October 22.