Two 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 Sh50,000.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) secured the convictions of Jaffar Mohamed, alias Fai, and Salim Abdallah, alias Kijana, for breaking into a classroom and committing a felony, contrary to Section 306(a) of the Penal Code.
Principal Magistrate Peter Wasike found the two guilty after considering evidence presented by Principal Prosecution Counsel Derrick Wawire, who called six witnesses during the trial.
Suspects Broke Into School Store
The court heard that on December 26, 2025, at approximately 2am, the two men broke into a classroom at Mtangawanda Primary School that was being used as a store.
They stole construction materials intended for a classroom construction project funded by the Safaricom Foundation.
The stolen items included 11 containers of Super Gloss paint, a grinder, scrapers, paintbrushes, rollers, 10 rolls of electrical installation tape and sandpaper.
The theft was discovered by the school watchman, while project foreman Dennis Samson Bakari reported the incident at Siyu Police Post.
Attempt to Sell Grinder Led to Further Investigation
On December 28, the court heard, the two men allegedly attempted to sell the grinder to Muhsin Nadhir in Pate village.
They claimed they had taken the equipment because they had not been paid for work. Nadhir declined the offer and reported the matter to the area chief.
The following day, police officers in Faza intercepted the suspects as they boarded a matatu to Kizingitini.
Officers recovered four litres of paint, brushes, rollers and electrical tapes from the suspects.
Following their arrest, the two led police to Mbui bushes, where additional stolen items concealed in sacks were recovered. The grinder was later recovered in Pate.
Court Rejects Defence by Accused
During the trial, the accused said they had been arrested while travelling to visit an aunt and claimed police had framed them.
However, the court dismissed their defence, finding that the evidence against them proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The magistrate cited their possession of recently stolen property and their role in leading officers to other recovered items among the evidence supporting the convictions.
Probation Reports Cite Security Concerns
Probation reports presented before sentencing described the two men as violent youths who had allegedly terrorised residents of Lamu East and Pate. The reports also linked them to several housebreaking incidents.
Although the convicts asked the court for leniency, saying they were breadwinners, the magistrate found them unsuitable for non-custodial sentences and considered them a danger to the community.
Wasike sentenced each man to five years in prison, with the sentences taking effect from their respective dates of arrest.
The two were granted 14 days to appeal against their convictions and sentences.
