Sudi drops case against 16 youths who looted Timba XO club

Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi has withdrawn a criminal case against 16 youths charged with stealing and destroying property valued at more than sh150 million at his Timba Xo club in Eldoret.

The 16 were arrested after the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests in Eldoret turned violent, leading to the looting and destruction of property at the famous club in the outskirts of Eldoret town.

On Monday morning, Principal Magistrate Cheronoh Kesse ordered the withdrawal of the case unconditionally following an application by the club’s director, Samwel Lamaiyan.

Lamaiyan said he had been directed by Sudi to withdraw the case because he had no intention to punish the youth.

“MP Sudi has said that the affected youth are our children, and he has decided to forgive them and withdraw the case without any conditions,” said Lamaiyan.

The magistrate nodded to the request while pointing out that the same case cannot be filed in court again.

“Having considered the application by the prosecution and complainant, I order that the matter be withdrawn,” said Kesse.

The freed youths expressed their gratitude to Sudi and the court for accepting to withdraw the case.

Moses Simatwa, one of the youths, said that they were sorry for the events that led to the case while thanking the MP for forgiving them.

“Most of us are unemployed, and we ask Sudi to consider helping us so that we do not fall into problems again,” said Simatwa.

The youth had faced six charges, which included stealing, handling stolen property, and malicious damage to the property of Timba XO Club.

According to the particulars of the charge, they were accused of breaking into Timba XO lounge situated at the Sukunanga area in Kesses Sub County along the Eldoret-Nakuru highway, where they engaged in felony activities that included stealing and destruction.

The particulars of the charge read that during the incident, the accused stole 11 sound speakers, flat-screen televisions, lighting effects, assorted foodstuffs, assorted alcoholic drinks, HP laptops, three MacBook laptops, assorted computers, assorted kitchen utensils, gas cylinders, and other goods, all valued at Sh78,896,560, all property of Timba XO Lounge.

They were also charged with malicious damage to property, which included offices, a CCTV control room, a main club store, alcohol counters, chairs, tables, glasses, and assorted electronics, all valued at Sh80 million.

Some of the suspects were also charged with alternative charges of handling stolen goods.

Through their lawyers Asseso Omollo, Amazon Koech, and George Sonkule, among others, the youths had implored the court to release them on lenient bond terms and were released on a sh 100,000 personal bond without security in September last year after spending two months in remand prison.

“We are grateful to Sudi for forgiving these young people so that they can continue with their lives,” said Sonkule.

The accused persons include Vincent Mosoti, Sheila Rotich, Ferdinard Lubisa, Annex Bahati, Erick Mulamba, Brian Kimeli, Martin Kabugi, Alfred Aloo, Daniel Luta, and Stephen Omondi.

Others are Joshua Majimbo, Amon Kiprotich, Simatwa Moses, Brian Rotich, and Amon Lenny.