8 boda boda firm agents face Sh6.8m fraud charges

The eight prayed to be released on bail. [iStockphoto]

Eight officials of a Nakuru boda boda company were Thursday charged with conspiracy to defraud and stealing more than Sh6.8 million from members.

Joseph Otieno, Hassan Ochieng, John Njenga, David Muli, Serah Wanjiku, Washington Anamange, James Chiteri and Joel Butika appeared before Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng.

The eight, who were arrested on Wednesday, denied eight counts of stealing and defrauding members of South Rift boda boda Limited Sh6,867,399.

The eight incidents allegedly occurred between December 2020 and April 2022, at Nakuru East Sub County, within Nakuru City.

According to prosecutor Jecinta Kibiriu, the eight were directors of the company that used to collect money from members (boda boda operators and their families) to facilitate community projects. The eight are said to have misappropriated Sh3,243,141 from various banks accounts of the boda boda company by falsely pretending they were carrying genuine transactions.

Otieno, Ochieng, Njenga and Muli allegedly used their position as directors to steal Sh1,890,730, belonging to the company and contributed by members.

"Otieno, Ochieng, Chiteri and Anamange used their directorship positions to steal Sh206,900, boda boda company's money, within Nakuru city," read count three.

On the said dates, Otieno, Ochieng, Wanjiku and Butika allegedly used their positions to steal Sh40,600 from the company. Otieno, Ochieng and Njenga were also charged with stealing as agents. They allegedly on the various dates, used their position as agents of Nakuru boda boda Community, to steal Sh701,620.

Otieno alone was also charged with stealing Sh529,408 from the community project.

"Ochieng, being an agent of the community project, stole Sh255,000," read the charges.

Through their lawyers, the eight prayed to be released on bail, saying they were not a flight risk and will attend court and cooperate with the police.

The prosecution opposed the application. Police Constable Daniel Ouma swore an affidavit opposing the bail. He said the ground was volatile.

"Community who invested their money are out for the blood of the officials. If released, they may be in danger," submitted Ouma.

He said the eight are divided and have been inciting members against rival officials, which is a threat to security.

"The offenses are serious and the situation is volatile," said Ouma. The court will rule today.