- A primary school teacher has denied charges of maliciously damaging her neighbour’s property valued at KSh77,950.
- The accused also denied refusing to allow police officers to take her fingerprints.
- A Kabarnet court released her on a KSh100,000 bond despite concerns raised in a pre-bail report.
A primary school teacher accused of maliciously damaging her neighbour’s property worth KSh77,950 has denied the charges before a Kabarnet court and secured her release on a KSh100,000 bond.
Selina Jelagat Chebotok pleaded not guilty before Principal Magistrate Caroline Ateya to charges of malicious damage to property and refusing to permit police officers to take her fingerprints.
According to court documents, Chebotok is accused of unlawfully destroying barbed wire, a cemented foundation and 12 iron sheets belonging to Lynn Kaptuya Yator at Kapkut in Baringo Central Sub-County on August 22 and 23, 2024.
She faces charges under Section 339(1) of the Penal Code and Section 55(5) of the National Police Service Act, 2011.
“I am not guilty. The accusations against me are false and unjustified,” Chebotok told the court.
Bond granted
State prosecutor Sydney Koech informed the court that the prosecution was not opposing her release on bond and supplied the defence with seven witness statements ahead of the hearing.
However, a pre-bail report indicated that the accused had previously failed to attend court after being released on a KSh10,000 cash bail.
According to the report, she remained absent for more than five months, leading to the forfeiture of the cash bail and the issuance of a warrant for her arrest.
The report further stated that although she later appeared in court, she allegedly absconded again before eventually being arrested at her home.
It also referred to domestic challenges, including separation from her husband and strained family relations.
Court ruling
In her ruling, Principal Magistrate Caroline Ateya said the court had considered the concerns raised in the pre-bail report.
“Despite the concerns raised in the pre-bail report, the court finds the accused suitable for release on bond,” the magistrate ruled.
She ordered Chebotok to execute a bond of KSh100,000 with one surety of a similar amount to secure her attendance until the case is concluded.
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The matter will be mentioned on July 23, 2026, while the hearing is scheduled for August 3, 2026.
The prosecution is expected to call two witnesses.
By Kimutai Langat
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