A conductor who allegedly colluded with thugs to rob a passenger of her mobile phone inside a matatu in Kayole, Nairobi, before they dropped her out along the way is facing robbery with violence charges.
Joseph Maina Mwangi who works for Forward Travelers Sacco at Mihang’o is charged with robbery with violence contrary to section 295 as read with section 296 (2) of the Penal Code.
He is charged alongside two accomplices – Robert Maina Mustapha and Dennis Musyoki Kivindu.
The trio is accused of robbing Jackline Wamuyu of her mobile phone worth Sh10,500 while armed with a knife on October 29, 2023.
The trio are facing an additional charge of conspiracy to commit a felony in contravention of section 393 of the Penal Code where they are accused of colluding to rob MsWamuyu of her phone.
Wamuyu had boarded the matatu at the Mihang’o stage on her way to Eastleigh after Mwangi informed her that the public service vehicle was destined for the Central Business District (CBD)
However, five minutes later, a male passenger who was already inside the vehicle before she boarded sat next to her and demanded her phone while pointing a knife at her stomach.
The complainant attempted to raise an alarm but another man joined the assailant and they ordered her to comply. The men took away her phone as Mwangi watched.
Wamuyu asked the three to give her the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Card but Mwangi allegedly told her that she could even be raped as well and it is good when they rob without confrontation.
Mwangi and his accomplices later ordered Wamuyu out of the vehicle after they reached the Tushauriane stage.
She successfully begged for Sh50 from a bodaboda rider to proceed with her journey after she explained her predicament and went away.
Wamuyu later reported the matter at the Kayole police station the next day and Mwangi was identified by the police and arrested.
He disclosed the identity of his accomplices and they were arrested at the Donholm stage along Jongoo Road. The mobile phone has not been recovered.
The three denied the charges before Principal Magistrate Caroline Nyanguthii of the Makadara Law Courts.
They were remanded in custody until November 20 when the court will receive their social inquiry report which will help in setting their bail and bond terms.
The hearing of the case will start on May 9, 2024.
