Jonathan Paul Mutua, who was arrested for his involvement in the June 25 looting of a club during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations in Eldoret County, has been charged with breaking into a building and committing a felony, according to a statement from the Judiciary.
Mutua was part of a group of youth who broke into and looted Baniyas Club Square in Kibulgeny, Soy, Uasin Gishu County. He was arrested on June 26.
During his arraignment on Tuesday, some media outlets reported that Mutua had been charged with stealing goods worth Ksh.37 million, including 181 kilograms of goat meat, which sparked public outrage.
However, the Judiciary later clarified that Mutua was charged with breaking into a building and committing a felony, contrary to Section 306 (a) of the Penal Code.
“… jointly with others not before the court broke and entered into Baniyas Club Square of Fredrick Kamau and stole therein items as per the list of stolen items valued at Ksh.37, 093,690,” reads the charge sheet shared by the Judiciary on X.
Among the items listed as stolen during the loot are television screens, computers, printers, gas cylinders, chairs, a restaurant couch, utensils, food, charcoal, 108 kilograms of beef steak, 17 bags of charcoal and 12 bags of potatoes.
Mutua also faces an alternative charge of handling stolen property contrary to Section 322(1)(2) of the Penal Code.
Per the charge sheet, the suspect “dishonestly retained some sound system-related electronics” in the course of stealing.
He was released on a Ksh.10 million bond.
The Judiciary added that investigations are still ongoing to bring to court the others Mutua allegedly looted alongside.
