Two men identified by prosecutors as members of the Panga Boys gang have been sentenced to five years in prison each for breaking into Mtangawanda Primary School in Lamu East and stealing construction materials worth KSh 50,000.
Jaffar Mohamed, alias Fai, and Salim Abdallah, alias Kijana, were sentenced by Principal Magistrate Peter Wasike after the court found them guilty of breaking into the school and stealing materials meant for a classroom construction project.
The court ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), represented by Principal Prosecution Counsel Derrick Wawire, presented six witnesses whose testimonies were found to be consistent and credible.
According to the prosecution, the two men broke into a classroom being used as a store at around 2am on December 26, 2025.
They allegedly stole construction materials purchased for a classroom project funded by the Safaricom Foundation.
The stolen items included 11 containers of Super Gloss paint, a grinder, scrapers, paintbrushes, paint rollers, electrical installation tape and sandpaper.
The materials were intended for use in the construction project at the school.
The theft was discovered by the school watchman, prompting project foreman Dennis Samson Bakari to report the incident at Siyu Police Post.
Investigations later led police to the two suspects after they allegedly attempted to sell the stolen grinder in Pate village on December 28.
The prosecution told the court that they approached Muhsin Nadhir and claimed they had taken the equipment because they had not been paid for work.
Nadhir declined to buy the grinder and instead alerted the area chief, leading to further police action.
On December 29, officers intercepted the suspects in Faza as they boarded a matatu heading to Kizingitini.
Police recovered some of the stolen materials, while additional items were found after the suspects reportedly led officers to Mbui bushes. The grinder was later recovered in Pate.
During the trial, the two men denied the charges, claiming they had been arrested while travelling to visit an aunt and had been framed by police. However, the magistrate rejected their defence and convicted them.
Probation reports presented to the court described the two as violent youths who had allegedly terrorised residents in Lamu East and Pate. The reports also linked them to other housebreaking incidents.
The accused pleaded for leniency, arguing that they were breadwinners. However, the court ruled that they posed a danger to the community and were unsuitable for non-custodial sentences.
Each man was consequently sentenced to five years in prison, with the sentences taking effect from the date of their arrest.
The court also granted them 14 days to appeal against both the conviction and the sentence.
