Matinyani member of the Kitui county assembly Sylvester Kitheka, aka Yaamu, and his assistant Bismark Kivindyo on Monday denied stealing a county bulldozer worth Sh30 million.
Kitheka and Kivindyo are said to have stolen the earth mover on August 22 at Syombunga in Kitui West.
Their lawyer, Morris Kimuli, pleaded with Kitui resident magistrate Felistus Nekesa to free them on bond arguing that the charge was not justifiable as the county government had not complained about his clients stealing the machine.
Further, the lawyer maintained that the prosecution was a sinister political move by the MCA's enemies.
Nekesa released each of the accused on Sh2 million bail or bond in similar amount and surety also of similar amount. The case will be mentioned on November 23.
The county prosecution office had on October 16 directed the Matinyani DCI officers to arrest and arraign the duo in connection with the theft of the earth bulldozer.
Kitui DPP coordinator Bonny Okemwa said there was sufficient evidence to incriminate the duo.
“The two must be arrested and charged with stealing the motor vehicle,” Okemwa instructed the head of DCI at Matinyani.
The bulldozer was carrying out road works in Kitheka’s Matinyani ward when it disappeared in August. It was found in Ruiru, Kiambu, more than 100 kilometres away.
Acting county Lands and Infrastructure chief officer John Kunga remarked that it was intriguing how such a huge machine was moved more than 100 kilometres without anybody noticing.
