Cop, two others in court over Sh15m Eldoret robbery

The three suspects who appeared before senior resident magistrate Daniel Sitati included (from left) Mahatt Abdullahi who is a son of retired police officer, Ernest Odongo alias Party and Phillip Edasi

A police officer is among three suspects charged in Eldoret over a violent robbery in which a trader was allegedly dispossessed of cash and valuables worth nearly Sh15 million.

 The three appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Daniel Sitati and were identified as Mahatt Abdullahi, said to be the son of a retired police officer, Ernest Odongo alias Party, and Phillip Edasi, a police officer attached to Eldoret Central police station.

 The court heard that on April 4, 2026, at Mti Moja in Turbo, Uasin Gishu county, the accused, jointly with others not before the court and while armed with a pistol, robbed Suad Zaid Abdi of cash and mobile phones valued at Sh14,957,600.

 It was alleged they used actual violence against the victim immediately before the robbery.

 According to the prosecution, the stolen items included a Samsung A4S phone valued at Sh32,000, an iPhone 11 Pro Max valued at Sh150,000, cash amounting to $105,200 US (about Sh13.4 million) and Sh1.31 million in Kenyan currency.

 The accused denied the charges and applied to be released on bond.

 The court allowed Abdullahi to be released on a cash bail of Sh200,000 after his lawyer, Richard Waringi, argued that his client had been on police bond for two weeks and had complied with all directives from investigators.

 Waringi told the court that Abdullahi was not a flight risk, noting that his place of residence was known and that he had been cooperating with the police whenever required.

 However, investigating officer Joseph Komol, attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Turbo, alongside prosecutor Eunice Rono, opposed the release of the suspects, arguing that they were a flight risk and could interfere with investigations.

 Komol further told the court that the police officer among the accused had threatened him as they were being brought to court, warning that he could pose a danger if released.

 He added that four other suspects, including another police officer, were still at large and were being pursued in connection with the incident.

 He urged the court to find compelling reasons to deny bail or impose stringent conditions.

 Komol also said he faced difficulties while arresting the suspects and expressed concern that they might fail to attend court if released.

 He further claimed that the accused had declined to cooperate with investigators by refusing to assist in the arrest of other suspects.

 Edasi told the court that he was a serving police officer with known employment details and would not abscond if granted bond.

 The court directed that a pre-bail report be prepared before a decision is made on the applications by the two remaining suspects.

 The matter will be mentioned on April 30, 2026.