A man was on Monday arraigned in a Kisumu court for stealing tree seedlings on display, meant for sale.
Martin Olal denied the charges when he appeared before chief magistrate Thomas Obutu for the offence he is alleged to have committed on the August 20 in Kisian, Kisumu County.
According to the prosecution, Olal stole the tree seedlings belonging to Rhoda Okenye who had displayed them along the Kisumu-Busia highway to sell to motorists and passersby.
Olal is alleged to have stolen the tree seedlings and planted them in his own farm. They are valued at Sh2000.
The accused told the court that the trees had been displayed in a public area and therefore belonged to no one.
However, the court ruled that it was illegal to pick property without the consent of the owner no matter where it had been placed.
He was released on a cash bail of Sh1000, pending the hearing of the case on the January 6, 2016.