A Kenol Court on Wednesday sentenced a 38-year-old man who confessed to stealing 30 chicken to pay a Sh50,000 fine or in default serve a six-month jail sentence.
Anthony Maina, who appeared before Resident Magistrate Jackinda Renna, was charged with stealing 30 chicken valued at Sh20,000 belonging to businessman Elias Mwangi on January 26, 2025, in Makuyu area in Murang’a South Subcounty.
He was charged with stealing 30 chickens valued at Sh20,000 in Makuyu area.
According to the evidence presented before court, the complainant was asleep at around 1 pm when he heard distress noises emanating from his avocado farm where the chickens were housed.
He rushed to the farm and heard people conversing and took cover behind some avocado trees from where he saw two men, the accused and his accomplice who was not before court.
“Mwangi recognised the two men who were each holding three chicken and a white sack,” prosecutor Brian Ng’ang’a informed the court.
The prosecutor said when the two accused saw the owner, they removed a knife and dared him to move closer, but the complainant, a licensed gun holder, whipped out his gun and shot in the air which prompted the accused and his accomplice to flee.
He counted his chickens and realised that 30 birds were missing. Mwangi then left for Nairobi where he lives.
The court heard that the complainant returned to his Makuyu home on February 3 and while in the house at around 3 pm, he saw the accused person, Maina, trying to catch his chicken again.
He called out his name and the accused person fled prompting the complainant to alert his neighbours and nyumba kumi members.
They went to the accused person’s house, arrested him and handed him over to police officers at Ciumbu Police Post.
The accused pleaded guilty and was convicted on his own plea of guilt.
“I am sorry, I pray the court for forgiveness as I am the sole provider for my child and parents,” Maina pleaded in mitigation.
Resident Magistrate Jackinda Renna ordered Maina to pay the Sh50,000 fine or in default serve a six-month prison sentence.
The Magistrate has further granted him a right to appeal the sentence in 14 days.
