16 youth charged with stealing from MP Sudi’s Timba XO Club during protests freed

Court directs that 15 of them be freed on a bond of Sh300,000 or a cash bail of Sh200,000

In Summary
  • One of the suspects who is a student was freed on a personal bond of Sh100,000.
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Some of the youth who appeared before an Eldoret court on July 1, 2024
Some of the youth who appeared before an Eldoret court on July 1, 2024
Image: FILE

A court in Eldoret has released on bond 16 youth who have been charged with stealing goods worth Sh78 million from Timba Xo club associated with Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi during the recent Finance Bill protests in Eldoret.

The goods they are accused of stealing including alcohol totalled 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.

They have been in remand for the last two weeks but Principal Magistrate Hellen Cherono directed that 15 of them be freed on a bond of Sh300,000 or a cash bail of Sh200,000. One of the suspects who is a student was freed on a personal bond of Sh100,000.

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

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

It alleged that they stole,11 sound speakers, flat-screen televisions, lighting effects, assorted food staff assorted alcoholic drinks, HP laptops, three mark books laptops assorted computers, assorted kitchen utensils, 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 implored the court to release them on lenient bond terms.

“In making this decision I have considered all issues raised and note the right of the accused to bail despite the complainant opposing the bail application," said the magistrate.

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