How Kenyan Man, 19, Was Convinced to Burn Tycoon's Lavish A$24 Million Home in Australia
Court records have revealed the involvement of Kenyan man Adams Kipkosgei Bett in an arson case that took place in Sydney, Australia.
Bett, who was 19 when the arson happened, faces charges along with his former employer Steve Nassif for burning down a luxurious mansion valued at Sh2.3 billion (A$24 million) located by the harbour. Owned by a Chinese entrepreneur, the mansion was reported to have been generally vandalised to prevent the removal of forensic evidence. An article by News.com.au on Wednesday, February 14 reports how Kipkosgei may have been allegedly influenced by his co-accused who purportedly coerced him into committing the crime.
According to Kipkosgei's lawyer, the individual from Kenya had resided in Australia for just five months before the event took place. During this time, he had worked in the construction field and had previously collaborated with the second accused, who happened to be a developer, on a fencing project. Legal records suggest that Kipkosgei's sole focus had been on his job and he had no premeditated plans to engage in any unlawful actions. After the incident, the young man disclosed feeling downhearted.
In September 2022, Nassif approached Kipkosgei and inquired about his availability. They then proceeded to buy petrol and embarked on a journey towards the property. Reports indicate that the second accused gave Bett explicit instructions to set fire to the lavish mansion. Responding to the instruction, the teenager ignited the fire that engulfed the opulent residence by the harbour. According to court documents, the employer was seated in the car watching when the incident occurred, resulting in significant damage. It is worth noting that the fire was initially intended to be sparked a week earlier, but the teenager declined to carry out the act at that time.
Additionally, Kipkosgei received no money from Nassif for committing the crime. Nassif admitted to being friends with the owner of the burned house and that they had previously spent time together hunting. The Australian has been granted bail with his case scheduled for mention on February 22. In contrast, Kipkosgei has admitted his guilt for intentionally or negligently causing harm to someone's property. His sentencing is scheduled for March 26, and he could potentially receive a prison term of up to 10 years.
Comments (25)
Terrible thing to happen to this kid. Was naive and manipulated to commit crime by an adult due to biz rivalry. God have mercy on him. Going overseas at a junior age prior to college in Kenya isn't for everyone. College are growing years needing parental guidance.
WHY DIDN'T HE REPORT TO THE POLICE .
You are beginning to mature alright, @agirltoto! Did the Angels visit you in the middle of night??
Lol, true.
Stupid and naive young man! He must have acted under duress and indeed he was taken advantage of!
Its bad enough to be paid to commit arson,but worst when you are not getting anything from the crime. You right @GG, the guy is was stupid and naive.I wouldn't say"young" I dont think youth,at 19 played any part. There are adults in their 50,60, who would to such athing.Would you call them stupid and old...?
How stupid can one stupid human being be stupid??? Criminal
Not naive!
He probably comes from an area in Kenya where he’s seen this done to houses belonging to members of certain tribes, as a way of intimidating them to move!
Most arsonists in Kenya don’t get caught and are neither convicted of their crimes!
He’s a victim of a culture!
@Keflex. Some people might take offense to your statement but the sad fact is that what is said is true in most cases. Most of our behaviors are the wholesome sum of our cultural norms and world views.
@Keflex. .Pure ignorance prejudice sentiment from your perspective...Grow up!..
What do you mean? The guy comes from Sugoi where they burn women and children inside the church alive. Do, what do you say to that statement??
Was Ruto not a grown man when he set fire on a church full of women in 2007? The arsonist here saw all that nonsense when he was a little boy and he leant thst burning houses was a normal cultural event. You grow up.
@mzalendo - do not get mad because someone called you out and told you the truth! The life burning houses is exactly your portion in you Kalenjin hood. How many houses have burned yourself is the quetion you should be responding here. Truth is painful, and it shall set you and your kins free!!!
Precisely @flex! Whatever wars that are taking place in some parts of the Rift Valley supports your opinion. These crazy folks have been stealing each other livestock and burning down everything (houses included) along the way! The ignorant kid may have thought he was burning his neighbor’s house in Kapseret, Kurusoi, Kerio Valley, or those remote parts of Kenya. Further down, just look at how Ruto himself is destroying ordinary people’s houses and then you get to understand the kind of exposure he got as a kid. Some of these crazy acts of violence are in some people’s genetics.
@GG YOU SOUND LIKE THOSE STUPID SOVEREIGN CITIZENS WITH SMALL BALLS
Oh no, what did @GG do now to demand your wrath @agirltoto! Did his “small balls” not fit your huge whore pussy???
@GG YOU SOUND LIKE THOSE STUPID SOVEREIGN CITIZENS WITH SMALL BALLS
Fucker did this for free, ur sure his a Kenyan. Lock his stupid ass up n get girl toto to crash his small balls.
The dude is @totogirl husband. He burned the house after @agirltoto crashed his “small balls” with her shallow hole!
This is a very deep case that reads like a Greek tragedy. The young man's life is ruined and even though his parents will not be locked up with him in Australia, they will be living in an Australian jail in their minds till the day they will see him free again.
Kalejinga things abroad. A Kiuk or Jaluo will not do that 1) without pay 2) unless they are mental
Are you saying that the Kalenjins are perpetually mentally handicapped to know any better? Well, I think you are right on this one.
Adams is usually silent I don't understand how he could have done this he was my classmate from primary school
@Michelle - quite funny! Like you don’t know the evils your men can do. Look around in your Mogotio community and you will get all the answers that you need! How many homes have been set on fire in Wasin Gishu in the recent past?
I still don’t understand how Ruto set a church on fire killing several women and children back in 2007. Is Adam not a Kalenjin like Ruto himself. I think you do understand now! Do you???
As a person who knows kipkosgei personally and has been following up on the case since he was arrested in 2022, Adams was forced to commit the crime he made it clear when he first plead guilty, nassif is a billionaire tycoon and adams was threatened but they were alone in the van and rhat means they can't provide sufficient evidence to prove that unfortunately