Two charged with stealing Sh1m detained until Thursday

Two people were on Monday arraigned before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina and charged with stealing contrary to the law.

Naomi Vivian Omoto and Douglas Josephat Muhanda are accused of jointly stealing Sh1,003,520 in December 2023.

According to the charge sheet, the two committed the offence on diverse dates between October 16, and December 27, when they withdrew the amount from the bank account of Victoria Ann Graham.

The offence allegedly took place at Westgate Mall and Sarit Centre in Westlands, Nairobi.

"Naomi Vivian Omoto and Douglas Josephat Muhanda on diverse dates between October 16 and December 27, 2023, at Aero Court along Lower Kabete road in Westlands subcounty within Nairobi jointly stole Visa automated card valued at Sh1,000 the property of Victoria Ann Graham," the second count reads.

The two pleaded not guilty and proceeded to request for release on lenient bail/bond terms which the state opposed.

In an affidavit presented in court, the Investigating Officer urged the court to not grant the accused persons release until the case is completed.

Corporal Johnes Nyangige of DCI Parklands stated that they did not have a specific abode and that they both come from the border of Kenya and Uganda.

He further stated that they were arrested in Waroko within Kangemi where they had rented a house.

Relaying the findings of the investigation conducted so far, the prosecutor expressed their apprehensiveness that if Omoto and Muhanda are released, they might escape to another jurisdiction.

"During interrogation, the suspects were not able to disclose their nationality nor show any documentation of their nationality. So there is an uncertainty as to whether they are Kenyans or Ugandans," the court heard.

The state argued that they were flight risk and that there was doubt on whether, if granted bail release, the accused persons would show up for trial.

It urged the court to deny the request but in the case that it decides to grant it, to do the same on the condition that there be a Kenyan contact person.

In response, the defence counsel argued that the suspects come from Busia and are Kenyans.

She observed that Omoto had a Kenyan ID Card and Kenyan relatives.

The lawyer stated that her clients are willing to have their nationality documents investigated by the Registrar of Persons and a report made to the court.

This was not opposed by the state.

The court directed that the investigation on their nationality be conducted and a report presented on Thursday.

Omoto and Muhanda will remain in custody until then.

The matter will be mentioned on March 28.