The Judiciary has changed tune on its decision to issue a bond of Ksh10 million for 29-year-old Jonathan Paul Mutua, accused of stealing meat and other items during protests.
In a statement, the Judiciary has ordered that the bond is changed to Ksh150,000 with a surety or an alternative cash bail of Ksh200,000.
Further, the statement, signed by high court judge Justice Wananda John Robert Anuro, has indicated that disobedience to the order will result in penal consequences.
“Considering that the value of the items alleged in the charge sheet filed in Eldoret MCCR/E1433/2024 to have been stolen is approximately, Ksh37,000,000,
“The Applicant is, in the meantime, admitted to bail/bond and released from custody on reviewed/revised terms from those imposed by the trial Court, namely, bond of Kshs 150,000/- with 1 surety and in the alternative, cash bail of Kshs 200,000/-.
“Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same,” the statement reads in part.
Eldoret Chief Magistrate Cherono Kesse. PHOTO/Courtesy.
Mutua appears before Eldoret court
Earlier, Mutua who has been accused of stealing 181 kilograms of meat during the anti-finance bill demonstrations was released on a Ksh10 million bond.
An Eldoret court was told that on Tuesday, June 25, Mutua broke into Baniyas hotel, taking advantage of chaos during the protests.
He faces charges for stealing various items including 181 kilograms of goat meat, 105 bunches of ‘Managu’ (A traditional vegetable), and other property amounting to Ksh37 million.
Consequently, Eldoret Chief Magistrate Cherono Kesse released him on a bond of Ksh10 million.
“The person has a right to peacefully and while unarmed to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public institutions. I hear by admit the accused person to a bond of Ksh10 million with two suitable choices.
“The judiciary bill and bond policy guidelines of March 2015 have overtime guided judges and magistrates in bail and bond decision making,” stated the magistrate.
Also Read: Details of Parliament Mace That Anti-Finance Bill Protestors Stole
Kenyans Call Out Judiciary for Harsh Punishment
Several Kenyans have opined that the bond was an excessive punishment for the crime committed, calling on the magistrate to make a different decision. judgement.
While reacting to the decision, Embakasi East member of Parliament Babu Owino said that the magistrate was unreasonable adding that he will appeal the decision.
“The Magistrate is very unreasonable. We will appeal this decision,” he said.
At the same time, X user Wesonga said that politicians in the country are often issued with light punishments when they are caught in scandals worth hundreds of millions.
According to him, it was unfair to punish Mutua with a Ksh10 million bond adding that it showed how unjust and corrupt the judiciary was.
“When a politician steal Ksh100 million, they will fine him Ksh10 million, when a common Mwananchi steal something worth ksh1000 they will fine him millions of money, Judiciary is the most corrupt arm of government, we don’t have a country here,” he said.
Also Read: Truth Behind Goons Setting Sudi’s Club Timber XO in Eldoret on Fire
Judiciary Issues Statement
In response to the uproar, the Judiciary on Tuesday July 2, said that the man was charged for “Breaking into a building and committing a felony and not for stealing meat.
The statement also noted that together with other individuals, he stole screens, electronics, sound system, kitchen equipment and gas cylinders, office equipment, computers and printers, restaurant furniture, freezer, microwave, utensils, assorted meat, foods and drinks.
“Contrary to reports in sections of the media, the matter before the court in Eldoret was not about 181 kgs of goat meat as alleged. As per the Charge Sheet, one Mr. Jonathan Paul Mutua was charged with “Breaking into a building and committing a felony.
“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 Ksh37 million,” the statement read in part.
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