A former employee of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been convicted by a Nairobi court for stealing a mobile phone valued at Ksh 55,000.
The phone belonged to a recently adopted orphan, a young child who had tragically lost his father to a stabbing incident in Mathare.
The convict, Dedan Wamuya Mburu, also known as Kababa, was found guilty of stealing the mobile phone on February 10, 2025, at Matumbato Road in the Upperhill area of Nairobi County.
Mburu, who had previously worked as a house employee in Sonko’s household, admitted to possessing the phone but denied stealing it intentionally.
However, the prosecution presented compelling evidence that contradicted his defense.
The court was shown CCTV footage that clearly depicted Mburu taking the phone from the orphan, slipping it into his pocket, and walking away with it.
Despite initially claiming that he had taken the phone only temporarily and intended to return it, the CCTV footage did not show any act of returning the phone, further incriminating Mburu.
The mobile phone, a Camon 30, was of great sentimental value to the orphan, who had been taken in by Sonko after the violent death of his father.
The theft of the phone added emotional distress to the child, who was already grappling with the trauma of losing a parent.
During the mitigation, Mburu pleaded for leniency, highlighting his family responsibilities.
“Your honor, I pray this honorable court to be lenient with me as I am the sole breadwinner of a young family,” he said, expressing remorse for his actions.
Magistrate Alego, who presided over the case, acknowledged the gravity of the crime but indicated that she would consider Mburu’s plea for leniency when delivering her final sentence.
She directed the investigating officer to prepare a pre-sentence report, which will be reviewed on February 18, 2025, when the sentence will be pronounced.
In the interim, Mburu was ordered to remain in custody as he awaits his sentencing.
The case came to light after Sonko reported the theft to Capitol Hill Police Station, prompting the investigation and eventual arrest of Mburu.
