A Kabarnet court has released a primary school teacher accused of maliciously damaging her neighbour’s property worth Sh77,950 on a bond of Sh100,000 with a surety of a similar amount.
Principal Magistrate Caroline Ateya granted bond to Selina Jelagat Chebotok after she denied two charges of malicious damage to property and refusal to allow police to take her fingerprints. The court, however, imposed stringent bond terms after considering her previous failure to attend court proceedings.
According to the charge sheet, Chebotok allegedly willfully and unlawfully damaged barbed wire, a cemented foundation and 12 iron sheets belonging to Lynn Kaptuya Yator at Kapkut area in Baringo Central Sub-County on August 22 and 23, 2024. The value of the damaged property is estimated at Sh77,950.
She faces the charge of malicious damage to property contrary to Section 339(1) of the Penal Code. She is also charged with refusing to have her fingerprints taken by Police Constable Wycliffe Okomo, an offence contrary to Section 55(5) of the National Police Service Act No. 11 of 2011.
Chebotok pleaded not guilty to both charges, telling the court that the allegations against her were false and unjustified.
Prosecution counsel Sydney Koech did not oppose her release on bond and supplied the defense with seven witness statements ahead of the hearing.
A pre-bail report presented before the court indicated that the accused had initially been released on a cash bail of Sh10,000 but failed to attend court for more than five months, leading to forfeiture of the cash bail and the issuance of a warrant for her arrest.
The report stated that although she later appeared in court, she subsequently absconded, prompting police to execute the warrant at her residence. It further noted that she had separated from her husband and had strained relations within her home environment.
In her ruling, Magistrate Ateya said the court had considered the contents of the pre-bail report and found the accused suitable for release on bond despite her previous conduct.
She ordered Chebotok to execute a bond of Sh100,000 with one surety of a similar amount to secure her attendance throughout the trial.
The case will be mentioned on July 23, 2026, while the hearing is scheduled for August 3, 2026, when two prosecution witnesses are expected to testify.
By Dennis Lesoite and Joshua Kibet
