A serial robbery suspect accosted by members of the public and police after allegedly robbing a woman of her mobile phone along Outering Road in Embakasi, Nairobi was charged with stealing from a person.
John Ngumbu Kanyi was charged with robbing Faith Chepkorir of her phone worth Sh30,000 at Tel Aviv area on November 2, 2023, contrary to section 279 (a) of the Penal Code.
Ms Chepkorir had been dropped by a bodaboda rider when the suspect allegedly accosted and slapped her on the face before snatching her phone and speeding off on his motorbike.
Kanyi fled the scene after the mugging incident but Chepkorir informed the bodaboda rider who had dropped her in the area and they mounted a search for Kanyi and found him.
He was stopped by the rider helping Chepkorir find him but attempted to flee but fell during the commotion and was restrained.
They were joined by members of the public who helped them to arrest Kanyi and allegedly found him with Chepkorir’s phone.
Police officers who were on patrol in the area arrived at the scene immediately and arrested the suspect.
The suspect was also charged with handling stolen property where he is accused of being found with Chepkorir’s phone after he was arrested. The mobile phone has been kept as an exhibit in the case.
Kanyi denied the charges before Principal Magistrate Caroline Mugo of the Makadara Law Courts and pleaded for lenient bail and bond terms through lawyer Rachel Mbira.
He was released on a cash bail of Sh7000.
The case will be mentioned on February 9th before the hearing starts on May 15, 2023.
Kanyi was on July 18, 2023, charged with robbery with violence after allegedly robbing a businessman of two mobile phones at Tena estate in Nairobi’s Eastlands.
The suspect was accused of robbing Jacob Onyango of two phones worth Sh75,500 on July 1, 2023.
Mr Onyango was returning home from a nearby pub where he had gone to meet a friend when he met Mr Kanyi just before he got to his house.
The suspect who was riding a motorcycle allegedly confronted Onyango demanding payment, while pretending he had offered him transport services before allegedly robbing him of his phones.
Mr Kanyi allegedly sped off on a motorcycle after the robbery but My Onyango’s neighbour, who is listed as a witness in the case, identified the bike before it disappeared.
Police later traced the owner of the motorcycle after the matter was reported at Buruburu Police Station and he helped officers arrest the rider.
Mr Kanyi denied the charges before Senior Principal Magistrate Monica Kivuti of the Makadara Law Courts. He was released on a bond of Sh100,000 and an alternative cash bail of Sh50,000.
