Eldoret Youths Charged with Looting and Vandalism at Timba XO Club

Sixteen young people were arraigned in an Eldoret court on Thursday for allegedly stealing goods worth Sh78 million and vandalizing property valued at over Sh80 million belonging to Oscar Sudi’s Timba XO club.

The accusations stem from a Gen Z demonstration in Eldoret on June 25th, which resulted in the looting and destruction of property at the popular club.

Six Charges Against Youths

The youths face six charges, including theft, handling stolen property, and malicious damage to Timba XO Club’s property on June 25th during the Eldoret Gen Z protests.

Prosecutors allege that the accused, along with others not in court, broke into Timba XO lounge in the Sukunanga area of Kesses Sub County, along the Eldoret-Nakuru highway. They are accused of engaging in criminal activities such as theft and destruction.

Stolen Goods and Vandalized Property

The court heard that during the incident, the accused stole items including speakers, televisions, lighting equipment, food and alcoholic beverages, laptops, computers, kitchenware, gas cylinders, and more, with a total value of Sh78,896,560, all belonging to Timba XO lounge.

A separate charge accuses them of causing malicious damage estimated at Sh80,000,000 to property including offices, the CCTV control room, the main club store, alcohol counters, furniture, electronics, and glassware.

Defense Plea and Detention

Some of the suspects faced additional charges of handling stolen goods. All the accused pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Eldoret Principal Magistrate Kesse Choronoh.

Their lawyers, including Asseso Omolo, Amazon Koech, and George Sonkule, appealed to the court for lenient bail terms, considering that most of the accused are high school or college students.

The defense lawyers informed the court that three of the accused are students at different secondary schools in Uasin Gishu County.

The Magistrate ordered the accused to be held at Eldoret GK Prison until a ruling on their bail application is made. The court also directed probation officers to prepare pre-bail reports to determine their eligibility for release on bond.

The prosecution did not object to their release on bond.

Next Hearing

The case will be heard again today, July 5th, when the court will issue a ruling on the bail application.

This incident follows another case on Wednesday where a suspect facing similar charges related to the looting of Baniyas Square club was initially granted Sh10 million bail, which was later reduced to Sh200,000 cash bail with an alternative of Sh150,000 upon review by a higher court.