By Andrew Kariuki

New details have emerged in the ongoing theft case involving Michael Owuor Stiff, the man accused of stealing valuables from a former German Navy officer in Nairobi, after tense exchanges unfolded during proceedings at the Milimani Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Owuor is facing charges linked to the alleged theft of a golden ring, two high-end mobile phones, cash and personal documents belonging to Mr. Frank Steinberg, a former German Navy officer who reportedly hosted him at his Loresho residence for about three months before the alleged incident in case number MCCR/E366/2025.

During Thursday’s proceedings, the accused intensely cross-examined the investigating officer, questioning the manner in which investigations were conducted and challenging key parts of the prosecution’s case.

At one point, Owuor accused investigators of failing to trace individuals allegedly found in possession of the stolen phones and questioned why some of the people said to have received the devices had not testified in court.

The accused repeatedly insisted that one of the names linked to an alleged money transfer was not his.

“I am Michael Owuor… You don’t know who this Caleb Onyango is?”

The invesigating officer agreed that the accused was Michael Owuor and not Caleb Onyango.

Court proceedings also turned dramatic after Owuor accused officers of assaulting him during his arrest.

“The complainant paid you guys take me to Karura Forest and beat me thoroughly,” he claimed in court while questioning the officer.

The investigating officer denied the allegations, responding: “No way. No.”

Owuor further alleged that officers confiscated and accessed his mobile phone during the arrest process, while the officer maintained that some devices recovered during investigations had allegedly been traced to other individuals connected to the case.

The proceedings also touched on the recovery of two mobile phones, an iPhone Pro and a Sony Xperia, which prosecutors indicated may later be produced as exhibits in court.

The case stems from allegations that Owuor stole valuables from Mr. Steinberg on March 8, 2025, at Mukabi Grove in Loresho, Westlands. The complainant had reported losing a golden ring, an iPhone 12 Pro, a Sony Xperia phone, cash, bank cards and personal identification documents, with the total loss estimated at close to Ksh1 million.

The magistrate ruled that the two phones allegedly stolen, iPhone 12 Pro and a Sony Xperia, be returned to the complainant and the accused phone be returned to him.

The case is set to continue on 23 June 2026 before Magistrate Carolyne Nyaguthii Mugo at the Milimani Magistrate’s Court.