Sudi drops case against 16 youths charged with stealing from his club

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has withdrawn a case against 16 youths who had been charged with destroying property at his Timba XO Club in Eldoret during the Gen Z protests.

The youth had been charged with stealing goods worth Sh78 million from Timba XO Club during the protests in Eldoret in June 2024.

The goods they were accused of stealing include alcohol, totaling Sh78 million, as well as malicious property damage valued at more than Sh80 million.

The accused were arrested after a Gen Z demo in Eldoret on June 25 that led to the looting and destruction of property at the famous club in Eldoret town.

Principal Magistrate Cherono Kesse ordered the withdrawal of the case unconditionally following an application by a director at Timba Samwel Lamayan.

Silvester Thuo, who was a prosecutor in the matter, questioned Lamayan on why they had decided to withdraw the case.

“Hon Sudi has said that the affected youth are our children, and he has decided to forgive them and withdraw the case without any conditions,” said Lamayan.

Lamayan said he had been directed by Sudi to withdraw the case because he had no intention to punish the youth.

“Having considered the application by the prosecution, I order that the matter be withdrawn,” said Kesse.

All the youth said in court that they were grateful to Sudi and the court for accepting to withdraw the case

One of the youths said they were sorry for the events that led to the case and thanked Sudi for forgiving them.

“Most of us are unemployed, nd we ask Sudi to consider helping us so that we do not fall into problems again,” he said.

The youth had faced six charges, which included stealing, handling stolen property and malicious damage to the property of Timba XO Club on June 25 during Gen Z demonstrations in Eldoret.

Among the charges they faced include that they broke into Timba XO lounge situated at Sukunanga area in Kesses Sub County along the Eldoret-Nakuru highway, where they engaged in felony activities which included stealing and destruction.

It was alleged that they stole 11 sound speakers, flat-screen televisions, lighting effects, assorted food, assorted alcoholic drinks, HP laptops, three mark books laptops, assorted computers, assorted kitchen utensils, and gas cylinders, among other goods, all valued at Sh78,896,560, all property of Timba XO lounge.

They were also charged with a second charge of malicious damage to property, which included offices, a CCTV control room, a main club store, alcohol counters, chairs, tables, glasses and assorted electronics.

Through their lawyers, Asseso Omolo, Amazon Koech, and George Sonkule, among others, they had implored the court to release them on lenient bond terms.

“We are grateful to Sudi for forgiving this young people so that they can continue with their lives”, said Sonkule.