A staff member of ex-Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been convicted for the theft of a mobile phone valued at Sh55,000.
Dedan Wamuya Mburu, known as Kababa, was found guilty of stealing a phone from Sonko’s recently adopted orphan, a child whose father had been tragically stabbed and killed in Mathare.
The offense occurred on February 10, 2025, on Matumbato Road in the Upperhill area of Nairobi County.
Mburu, who used to work in the house of the former governor, acknowledged to Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego that he had the mobile phone but claimed he did not steal it on purpose.
The prosecution, however, provided incriminating evidence: CCTV footage displayed in court depicted Mburu removing the phone from the child, putting it in his pocket, and leaving with it.
After the phone was not returned, Mburu tried to explain his actions by asserting that he had taken the phone and returned it later; however, the footage did not support this claim of a return.
After the tragic murder of his father, the orphan had been adopted by Sonko. His mobile phone, a Camon 30, had been one of his most valued possessions.
The orphan, who was still dealing with the trauma of the incident, now confronted the anguish of having his phone taken by someone in his caregiver’s home.
In the course of mitigation, Mburu requested leniency and urged the court to take his family situation into account.
He said, with clear regret, “Your honour, I beg this honourable court to show me leniency since I am the only provider for a young family.”
Magistrate Alego, overseeing the case, recognized the gravity of the crime but indicated that she would take Mburu’s plea into account when issuing her final decision next week.
She directed the investigating officer to prepare a pre-sentence report, which will be examined on February 18, 2025, at the time of sentencing.
Mburu received an order to stay in custody while awaiting sentencing.
Following Sonko’s report at the Capitol Hill police station, Mburu was apprehended and faced prosecution.
