Judiciary say magistrate exercised discretion granted by Constitution in granting bond
BY THEDISPATCH.DIGITAL REPORTER
The Judiciary has come out to clarify that the man granted bond of Ksh 10 million in an Eldoret court had been charged with stealing property worth Ksh 37 million and not just 181 kilograms of meat as reported in a section of the press.
In a statement on its social media handles, the Judiciary stated that “Mr. Jonathan Paul Mutua dishonestly retained some sound system related electronics which are spelled out. The magistrate exercised discretion and granted bond of Ksh. 10 million in view of the total sum of Ksh. 37 million. The matter is still active and is therefore sub judice. The Judiciary assures the public of its commitment to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution.”
It said that the accused person had been charged with “Breaking into a building and committing a felony contrary to Section 306 (a) of the Penal Code on 25th June 2024.” The Charge Sheet further reads that together with others not before the court (because investigations are still ongoing) they broke into a club and stole items as per a list provided whose total value is over Ksh. 37 million. The list referred to includes screens, electronics, sound system, kitchen equipment and gas cylinders, office equipment, computers and printers, restaurant furniture, freezer, microwave, utensils, assorted meat, foods and drinks. The Alternative Charge is “Handling of Stolen property contrary to section 322(1)(2) of the Penal Code.” The Charge Sheet reads that in the course of stealing,”