I Stole Bibles to Avoid Committing Suicide, Shoplifter Tells a Nairobi Court

A man who was arrested for shoplifting bibles from a supermarket in Nairobi has pleaded guilty to theft charges.

35-year-old Augustine Wanyonyi pleaded guilty before chief magistrate Susan Shitubi of Milimani law courts on Wednesday.

The court heard that he stole two bibles worth Sh2,100 on January 30th at Naivas Supermarket along Moi Avenue in Nairobi. Wanyonyi went to the store at around 3.20 pm and was captured on CCTV stealing two bible copies and hiding them in his pants.

The court further heard that Wanyonyi is a serial shoplifter, having been charged and released by another court in December last year after he pleaded for forgiveness.

The accused left the courtroom stunned after explaining what pushed him into stealing the two bibles from the supermarket. He told the court that he wanted to spread the word of God instead of committing suicide. Wanyonyi added that he stole two bibles as his wife also needed a copy.

“After I was released in my previous offense by the court, I found my house in Mukuru kwa Njenga had been demolished. I opted to steal in order to read the bible instead of committing suicide to know more about God and preach his word to matatu passengers,” Wanyonyi said as quoted by The Star.

The magistrate ordered his pre-sentencing report to be filed in court within seven days before his sentencing on February 16th.