Detectives in Laikipia have arrested a suspect and recovered several electronic materials believed to have been stolen from Chieni supermarket in Nyeri. The man was apprehended in his house during a closely coordinated police operation in the Majengo area. However, three other suspects managed to escape the police dragnet and are currently being sought.
According to the police report, the items recovered include a 32-inch Toshiba TV set, three children’s bicycles, a gas cylinder, a microwave, a deep fryer, a frying pan, a wall clock, an aluminum kitchen kettle, an oven, a mini-TV set, and a cordless electric kettle. The suspect is currently being held at the Nanyuki police station and is expected to be arraigned in court on Monday.
Previously, 36 others were arrested in connection to the incident and have already been charged. They appeared before a Nanyuki court and were charged with intent to commit a felony, contrary to Section 307 of the Penal Code. The prosecution, led by Counsel Peter Gitumu, told the court that the accused, along with others, forcibly and unlawfully gained entry into the supermarket.
The Chieni supermarket, owned by Kieni MP Wainaina Njoroge, was broken into on Tuesday by goons who looted before disappearing. The suspects are among those who were protesting against the Finance Bill. Njoroge reported losing over Sh550 million due to the incident, with Sh450 million worth of movable stock and Sh100 million worth of equipment, such as bakery shelves, among other items, being stolen. The looted Nyeri branch employed over 350 people.