Bodaboda rider charged with phone theft

A bodaboda rider who allegedly snatched a motorist’s mobile phone has been charged with theft at the Kibera Law Courts. Dennis Wafula Panyako was charged with stealing Edwin Okello’s Iphone 13 promax worth Sh198,000 at Silanga in Kibera, Nairobi on January 29. Panyako is accused of stealing the phone jointly with others at large. Okello had gone to drop a friend in the area when Panyako allegedly snatched his phone and jumped onto a standby motorcycle before speeding off. He and his friend pursued the bike but could not catch up. However, Okello’s friend identified the person riding the bike as Panyako who is a bodaboda operator in the area. A few days later, Panyako was reportedly seen selling the phone and Okello’s friend was informed. Okello informed the police where he had reported the matter and officers went to the bodaboda stage to arrest Panyako but he escaped leaving behind his bike which was taken by the police. The motorbike is suspected to be the one he used to flee from the scene after the alleged theft. The suspect was later traced and arrested. At the court, he denied the charges before resident magistrate William Tullel. He was released on a surety bond of Sh100,000 and alternative cash bail of Sh50,000. The case will be mentioned on February 28 for a pre-trial.