The trial of two suspected cattle rustlers who allegedly stole 10 cows from a Chemelil farmer failed to start at a Kisumu chief magistrate court on Friday.
Pascal Sengende and Timothy Omollo initially appeared before magistrate Esther Maina on May 21 before their trial was deferred to Friday after their lawyer requested for more time to scrutinise the prosecution's allegations.
According to court papers, the two were arrested by members of the police Anti-stock Theft Unit last month after failing to account for the cows found in their possession.
Police impounded the cattle and drove them to the said farmer where stock theft victims were invited to come and identify his cattle.
It is alleged that the duo had developed a scheme whereby they stole cattle from other farmers in area or beyond then kept the loot pending sales to butcheries or individuals.
The prosecution had earlier requested the court to remand the two as investigating police officers were following leads to identify other farmers who had lost their cattle.
The defence lawyer, Tom Ogolla, had argued that the prosecution was dragging other theft incidents involving other suspects into the one before the court. Ogolla asked for more time to summarise scrutinising the evidence presented by the prosecution.