Woman in court for pocketing 'chama' money

A Kisumu woman has been charged with an offence of pocketing chama money belonging to one of her group members.

Winter Akoth who appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki is alleged to have pocketed a sum of Sh96,000 from one of her chama member’s account.

She is said to have stolen the money from Esther Adhiambo's on diverse dates between May7, 2019 and May 12, 2020.

Akoth denied the charges and was released on a cash bail of Sh20,000.

According to court documents, Akoth was the chairlady of the merry-go-round which have been saving on table banking.

Court documents stated that the members of the group later opened an account which was being run by the group's officials.

It stated that the group elected a new committee which replaced two officials who left the group and, in the process, Akoth was elected the chairlady.

Akoth is alleged to have been dodging the group's members as they have been struggling to replace the group account's old signatories.

She is alleged to have been plotting to replace the signatories by herself, an issue that raised the members' eyebrows.

Court documents further stated that when Adhiambo wanted to leave the group, Akoth asked her to wait for three months as was in the group's constitution.

It stated that when the three months elapsed, Akoth promised to give Adhiambo her dues after some members had cleared off their loans.

Adhiambo is said to have confirmed from the group's secretary if members had paid their dues and she learnt that the Secretary herself had paid off Sh40, 000.

After being approached by Adhiambo, Akoth is said to have promised to pay her the money in a month’s time but later blocked her calls.

The case will be heard on June 10.