'Free meat' lands Nairobi boda boda rider in court

A boda-boda rider has been charged with killing a cow with the intent to steal its skin and meat.

Jeremiah Nyamuti Koga is alleged to have committed the offence on April 28 in Embakasi, Nairobi.

The prosecution told the court that Nyamuti and others who are yet to be arrested slaughtered the cow belonging to Josphat Sheketerekei whose value was put at Sh60,000.

According to the charge sheet, on the material day, a Maasai boy who was herding his father's cows around Embakasi realised one of them had gone missing. In the evening hours, he drove the other animals home then returned to trace the missing animal.

It is stated that he found the animal grazing alone in the Mradi area at around 7 pm and started directing it home. On the way, however, the cow was knocked down by a vehicle around the Kabansora area.

This attracted some boda boda riders who armed themselves with knives and rushed to the scene where they slaughtered the animal and started sharing the meat as the boy rushed home and reported to his father.

Soon, the father and some friends arrived at the accident scene, which forced the riders to scamper for safety but some of them left their motorcycles behind.

Police arrived at the scene later and found one of the motorbikes which was linked to Nyamuti after investigations.

In court, he denied the charges and was set free on a cash bail of Sh40,000. The case will be heard on October 29.