David Simiyu, 25, Faces Theft Charges for Stealing from Nairobi Churches
David Simiyu Wanyonyi, a 25-year-old man, has been charged in a Nairobi court for stealing camera equipment from evangelical churches and reselling it for a fraction of its value. On December 24, 2024, Simiyu appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Dolphina Alego, where he confessed to committing the thefts in order to finance his personal goals, including joining a driving school and moving into a new home.
The charges stem from incidents where Simiyu stole equipment worth over KSh 1.6 million from various churches, including CITAM (Christ Is the Answer Ministries). In one case, he admitted to selling two stolen cameras, a Sony worth KSh 1.2 million and a Canon valued at KSh 380,000, along with other equipment, for just KSh 50,000.
Stealing from Churches to Finance Personal Goals
Simiyu, who began stealing from churches in 2015, revealed that he had stolen from multiple churches, including CITAM, Christian Fellowship Foundation (CFF Kiambu), and Redeemed Gospel. After joining churches under the guise of being a devout member, he worked in their media departments and gained the trust of the pastors. He then used his access to steal cameras and other equipment, which he sold to brokers at a deep discount.
When asked by Magistrate Alego what he did with the money from selling the stolen cameras, Simiyu explained that he used part of the proceeds to join a driving school and to rent a new house. His actions were met with both concern and recognition from the court.
Details of the Charges
Simiyu is facing multiple charges. On November 26, 2023, he stole equipment worth KSh 1.7 million from CITAM Church Valley Road. Among the stolen items were two cameras, two iPads, and other electronic equipment. On another occasion, Simiyu broke into Shop S2 at Giant Mall on November 28, 2024, and stole additional camera equipment, including 21 cameras, 13 lenses, and other accessories.
The case will continue with a mention for a pre-sentence report on Monday, December 30, 2024. This arrest comes just days after another man from Nairobi was charged with fraud-related offenses.
Conclusion
David Simiyu’s confession in court has shed light on a series of brazen thefts targeting churches in Nairobi, highlighting a disturbing trend of exploiting trust for personal gain. His case is a reminder of the need for increased security measures in places of worship and vigilance against crimes that may occur in seemingly unsuspecting environments.