Congolese Businessman Charged in Eldoret Over Theft of Sh21M Excavator
He also claimed that without his release, there would be no way to recover the machinery, pledging to comply fully with any bail conditions set by the court.
Photo/Courtesy.
By Hubz Reporter
A Congolese businessman was on Monday arraigned in an Eldoret court, facing charges of stealing heavy machinery valued at Sh21 million from a local company in Uasin Gishu County.
Scalla Nzanzi Junior appeared before Principal Magistrate Carolyne Wattima, where he denied allegations of stealing a Hyundai excavator, registration number KHMA 223K, said to be the property of Chicarlt Company Limited.
The alleged theft occurred on April 2, 2024, in the Kapsoya area on the outskirts of Eldoret. According to the prosecution, Junior—who is involved in the gold mining business in the Democratic Republic of Congo—illegally transported the machinery across the border.
He was arrested last Thursday in Malaba, a town on the Kenya-Uganda border, by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) while allegedly attempting to flee to his home country.
Efforts by Junior’s legal team to secure his release on bail were unsuccessful, as the court considered him a flight risk. The magistrate noted that the accused had previously evaded arrest on multiple occasions since 2023, further undermining his plea.
In his defence, Junior told the court he is a father of four and resides in Nairobi, insisting he had no intention of skipping court. Represented by lawyer Eric Munene, he requested to be released on cash bail, arguing that he needed to return to Congo to retrieve the excavator, which he claimed had been taken there for mining operations in the Goma region.
He further informed the court that the ongoing conflict involving the M23 rebel group had disrupted mining in the area, making it risky to access the site where the excavator is reportedly located.
“Your Honour, I respectfully request to be granted reasonable bail so I can travel and try to recover the equipment. The region is now a war zone, but I will make every effort to bring the machine back,” Junior said through his lawyer.
He also claimed that without his release, there would be no way to recover the machinery, pledging to comply fully with any bail conditions set by the court.
The prosecution has listed five witnesses, including two DCI officers from Eldoret, who are expected to testify during the trial.
Magistrate Wattima directed that a pre-bail report be filed before ruling on the bail application. In the meantime, Junior was remanded at Eldoret GK Prison until July 21, when the case will be mentioned.
About Author
