Bail Case Stalls for Congolese Businessman Accused of Stealing Sh21 Million in Heavy Machinery

Scalla Nzanzi Junior, a Congolese businessman accused of stealing heavy machinery worth Sh21 million, failed to appear in court, stalling the hearing at an Eldoret court. The suspect, who was granted bail with a cash deposit of Sh5 million or two Kenyan sureties with properties of similar value, had been ordered to deposit a cash bail of Sh5 million or provide two Kenyan sureties with properties of similar value to secure his release. Despite opposition from the prosecution, Principal Magistrate Caroline Wattimah granted him bail, citing that Junior was not a flight risk due to his family living in the country. However, Junior's failure to appear in court alongside his Nairobi-based lawyer, Eric Munene, has led to the issuance of summonses to two peasant farmers from the Mt. Kenya region who had stood surety for the businessman, and a warrant of arrest against Junior himself.

Key Takeaways:

• Scalla Nzanzi Junior, a Congolese businessman, is accused of stealing a Hyundai excavator valued at Sh21 million, property of Chicarlt Company Limited, associated with Caleb Rotich, the younger brother of former National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich.
• Junior was granted bail with a cash deposit of Sh5 million or two Kenyan sureties with properties of similar value, despite opposition from the prosecution, citing that Junior was not a flight risk due to his family living in the country.
• Junior's failure to appear in court alongside his Nairobi-based lawyer, Eric Munene, has led to the issuance of summonses to two peasant farmers from the Mt. Kenya region who had stood surety for the businessman, and a warrant of arrest against Junior himself.
• The offence allegedly occurred on April 2, 2024, at Kapsoya, on the outskirts of Eldoret City, where Junior had allegedly attempted to flee the country after learning that police were pursuing him.
• Junior has maintained that he is a law-abiding businessman with several ventures in Kenya and a family that has lived in the country for over a decade, denying claims that he is a flight risk.
• Following his failure to appear for the hearing, Magistrate Wattimah issued summonses to two peasant farmers from the Mt. Kenya region who had stood surety for the businessman, directing them to appear in court and produce the suspect.

Statistics:

• Sh21 million: The value of the stolen heavy machinery
• Sh5 million: The cash bail that Junior was required to deposit to secure his release
• 14 October 2025: The date on which the case was set to be heard
• 2 April 2024: The date on which the offence allegedly occurred
• 21 October 2025: The date on which the case will be mentioned for further directions

Sources:

• Kenya News Agency, 14 October 2025
• Court documents cited in the Kenya News Agency report