This archive report was first published on 3 January 2020.
On January 2, 2020, Nakuru Principal Magistrate Bernard Mararo handed down the sentence to Alex Kemboi and Joseph Loreng, who had admitted to the burglary charges.
The two men broke into a stall owned by Margaret Wanjiru and stole two bags of maize, each weighing 100 kilogrammes, worth Sh5,000. They also broke into another complainant, Musa Muyuya's house, and stole his clothes.
According to the charge sheet, the accused broke into Mr Muyuya's house on December 29, 2019, and stole a black bag containing a long trouser and a white vest.
Prosecutor Serling Joyce explained that after Ms Wanjiru's stall was broken into, the sacks that had developed holes left a trail of spilling maize grains that led to the suspects' house.
Wanjiru and her neighbours followed the trail, which led them to the suspects, and alerted police who arrested the suspects and booked them at Menengai Police Station.
During the sentencing, Kemboi asked for forgiveness, stating that his grandmother depends on him, while Loreng said he was forced to steal because he was hungry and had no food to sustain his family.
The two have 14 days to appeal the sentence, and Wanjiru and Mayuya had their items returned by police.
