KENOL — A local court in Kenol has become the focal point of an unusual case involving the theft of a large quantity of pineapples, with a 41-year-old man facing charges for his alleged involvement in the crime.
According to Kenya News Agency, Peter Wakahia Kimani stood before Resident Magistrate Jackinda Rennah, facing allegations of possessing 745 pineapples believed to be stolen. The incident, occurring in Gikono village within Murang’a South, has caught the attention of the local community and law enforcement.
Prosecution details revealed in court highlighted that on March 11, police officers, in collaboration with an assistant chief, were alerted to suspicious activities at Kimani’s residence. Acting on a tip-off, they discovered the pineapples, supposedly pilfered from Delmonte Kenya Limited, concealed under black polythene bags in a storage facility on the premises. The discovery led to Kimani’s arrest with assistance from Kenol police station personnel.
Kimani admitted guilt to the theft charges and appealed for leniency, citing his familial responsibilities. Despite his plea and status as a first-time offender, the gravity of the crime prompted the court to schedule a sentencing hearing for March 20, 2024, where the final judgment will be pronounced.
This case underscores the challenges and peculiarities encountered in rural crime and property theft, reflecting broader concerns about agricultural produce security and legal consequences for such offenses.