Man Handed 1-Year Jail Term for Stealing Employer’s Phone
An Eldoret court has ordered a casual laborer to pay a fine of Ksh. 20,000 or serve one year in jail for stealing his employer’s mobile phone, worth Ksh. 11,000.
Laborer Pleads Guilty
Amos Ekale Erupe admitted to stealing the phone when he appeared before Eldoret Principal Magistrate Caroline Wattimah. He was charged under Section 268, as read with Section 275 of the Penal Code.
Erupe pleaded for leniency, saying he was under the influence of alcohol when he took the phone.
How the Theft Happened
The incident occurred on January 3, 2025, in Moi’s Bridge town, Uasin Gishu County. Paul Umbuge, the complainant, had hired Erupe for a casual job and paid him afterward. Later, Umbuge invited Erupe for drinks at a local club and even let him sleep at his house.
The next morning, Erupe left early, and when Umbuge woke up, he found his phone missing. It had been charging in the living room when he went to sleep.
Another Man Jailed for Stealing a Friend’s Phone
In the same court, a job seeker was fined Ksh. 25,000 or sentenced to one year in prison for stealing a friend’s phone.
Nicholas Kiplagat admitted to stealing a Tecno phone worth Ksh. 14,500 from Allan Kipkorir. Kipkorir had entrusted him with the phone while playing volleyball at Uasin Gishu Primary School.
Magistrate Wattimah ruled that Kiplagat must pay the fine or serve his sentence at Eldoret GK Prison.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Always be cautious when entrusting your phone to others.
✔️ Theft, even under the influence of alcohol, has legal consequences.
✔️ Courts continue to issue strict penalties for theft cases.
Stay tuned for more crime updates and legal news.
Man Handed 1-Year Jail Term for Stealing Employer’s Phone
