A Chinese national is among three suspects who were on Friday last week charged for allegedly stealing Aloe Vera worth over ksh.24 million from a sickly Kenyan.

LI Changhon, Nzomo Muvungei and Philip Maina were charged for allegedly conspiring to defraud Yahya Omar Mohamed of 28,080 kilograms of medicinal aloe Vera gum which was intended for export to China.

Speaking from his wheelchair, Yahya told the court that he had 25 children to take care of and that that was the only business he depended on for a living and pleaded for justice.

The three suspects appeared before Mombasa senior resident magistrate David Odhiambo, where they pleaded not guilty to all charges and released on a kshs.5 million bond each or an alternative cash bail of ksh.500,000 each.

The court heard that the three suspects had claimed they were exporting the consignment to China before they diverted and shipped it under a different name.

The court also heard that during the time of the fraud, the complainant was in a coma at Coptic Hospital, where he had undergone surgery.

Yahya had fallen sick after booking his shipment at the Inland Container Depot in Nairobi on November 3, 2024.

According to police reports presented in court, Yahya's 40-feet container with serial number DFSU7384072 was fraudulently taken from the depot and moved to Kabasora Warehouse in Embakasi.

Police further said that while the complainant was fighting for his life in the hospital, the three suspects were planning to export Yahya's consignment under a different name.

The prosecution through senior Counsel Barbara Sombo informed the court that there were discussions for an out-of-court settlement, with Changhong allegedly expressing willingness to compensate the complainant.

However, Yahya told the court that he had not been contacted by the accused as promised.

The case will be mentioned on March 5 this year.

Written By: Peter Maseke.