Two charged with conspiracy to steal Sh135 million from bank

Cecilia Wanjiru (left) and Kennedy Gathige before a Milimani court

NAIROBI, KENYA: Two people were arraigned before a Milimani court and charged with conspiracy to steal Sh135 million from a bank.

Kennedy Gathige Maina and Cecilia Wanjiru were brought before Milimani principal magistrate Kenedy Cheruiyot and accused that on December 15 at unknown place within the republic of Kenya jointly with others not before court conspired to commit a felony namely stealing 135,402,694 shillings the property of National Bank of Kenya.

Kennedy faced a separate charge of stealing 145, 000 shillings from, the same bank‘s harambee avenue branch, with Cecilia facing an alternative charge of stealing 248,011 shillings from the same bank and branch.
The two pleaded not guilty to the charges and the prosecution did not object to their release on bail and bond.

Through their lawyer Kariuki Njiiri, the two applied to be furnished with the charge sheet and all documentary evidence that the prosecution will rely on in the matter. Kariuki further applied for reasonable bond terms with an alternative of cash bail.

“Your honour its only that we suffered time constraints otherwise the second accused person Cecilia Wanjiru is in contact with the complainant bank with a view to settling this matter out of court, indeed its only that we had to beat the 24 hour constitutional requirement to present accused persons in court that we are here today,” Kariuki pleaded with the court.

In his reply the magistrate said that the court encourages settlements outside courts as it saves judicial time. Kariuki asked the court to grant an early mention date for probable withdrawal of the case.

The two were granted a bond of Sh500, 000 with an alternative Sh300,000 cash bail . The hearing was set on 2 / 7/ 2018