Suspect accused of stealing 21 cows denied bond

Kabarnet,

Monday, November 6, 23

KNA by Joshua Kibet

A 23-year-old boy accused of stealing 21 cows with market value of Sh 840,000 in Ng’aratuko, Baringo North Sub County has been denied bond by a Kabarnet court.  

Kases Kaplekwa appeared before Principal Magistrate Caroline Ateya on Monday and was charged with stealing stock contrary to section 278 of the penal code.

Kaplekwa is said to have stolen the cows worth the said amount belonging to Stanley Chesut on November 1, this year, at 3.30pm at Three Ways village, Ng'aratuko location in Baringo North Sub County within Baringo County, with others not before court.

He pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to him claiming he was not near the crime scene at the time of the alleged occurrence.

“Your honour, I did not steal the said cows because I was not there when the incident happened,” Kaplekwa told the court.

The accused prayed the court to release him on bond in order to enable him to attend the case while in outside custody.

The prosecution counsel Vivian Ratemo objected to the request by the accused to be granted bond stating that he is a high-risk suspect and may abscond.

Ratemo argued that Kaplekwa hails from a hostile area and is yet to give access of his accomplices as investigations are still ongoing.

“Your honour, I pray for re-apply of bond after the witnesses have testified,” she said.

Ateya in her ruling granted Ratemo her wish and ordered the accused to be remanded as they wait for pre-bail reports.

The case will come up for mention on November 16 when the hearing date will be fixed with eight witnesses expected to testify.

Courtesy; KNA