A man who was arrested for stealing two bibles from a city supermarket has pleaded guilty and ‘shocked’ the court by his defence.
Appearing before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi, Augustine Wanyonyi claimed that he wanted to know more about God and His word after he developed suicidal thoughts, hence the decision to steal the holy books.
He said he had a strong belief that the word of God would break his bondage after State Counsel Alice Mathangani read a police report in court that revealed that Wanyonyi went to Naivas Supermarket located along Moi Avenue in Nairobi at around 3:00 pm on Monday, January 30, picked the two bibles and hid them inside his pants.
He was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the premises and got arrested when he failed to pay for the items.
“He was later arrested by the CCTV operators after he failed to pay for the same items at the teller counter,” Mathangani said.
The 30-year-old man, according to court records, explained that he had developed suicidal thoughts after his house in Mukuru Kwa Njenga slum was demolished.
Challenged to explain why he decided to steal the two holy books which cost Ksh2,100, the suspect said he wanted to gift his wife one and use the other one.
“I stole the Bible so that I could read, understand and preach the word of God instead of committing suicide due to problems I’m facing,” Wanyonyi told the court.
The prosecutor also told the court that the accused had a previous record of shoplifting and had been charged in December 2021.
The revelation by Mathangani saw the Magistrate order a pre-sentencing report to be filed in court within seven days.
Wanyonyi is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on February 16.
