The case in which owners and drivers of trucks that were impounded at Sofia area along Thika-Garissa highway over flouting various traffic rules will now be heard on March 15 after the accused failed to appear at Kithimani court to take plea.
The plea-taking session was deferred after the suspects’ lawyer Tony Kiprop said they were informed of the charges and notified to appear in court late and via WhatsApp.
Kiprop who appeared before Principal Magistrate B.S Khapoya on behalf of the accused argued that the suspects were not accorded enough time to prepare for appearance.
"My clients were informed about appearing in court via a WhatsApp message that most of them don't access regularly. I pray that they are given at least two weeks to prepare," he said.
In his ruling, Khapoya postponed the hearing to March 15 when all the suspects will be required to take the plea.
The accused whose vehicles were impounded on February 26 near Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) mobile weighbridge for contravening various traffic rules are said to be behind augmented damage of roads in the country that forces the government to spend billions of shillings on maintenance.
In an organized operation between KENHA and police, the 13 grossly overloaded trucks were also found without requisite number plates.
