A Nairobi-based businessman has been charged in court for allegedly defrauding a woman of Ksh 5.9 million under the pretense of supplying rice and sugar.
Samuel Karuga Wachiuri appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Caroline Mugo, where he denied obtaining the funds by false pretenses.
According to the prosecution, Wachiuri received the money from the complainant, Grace Njeri Irungu, on diverse dates between May 6 and May 15, 2025.
He allegedly promised to deliver 3,000 bags of 50kg rice and 250 bags of 50kg sugar, but failed to do so.
The charge sheet read in part: “On diverse dates between May 6 and 13, 2025, within Nairobi County, with intent to defraud, you obtained Ksh 5,921,600 from Grace Njeri Irungu by falsely pretending you were in a position to supply 3,000 bags of 50kg rice and 250 bags of 50kg sugar, a fact you knew to be false.”
The prosecution opposed the release of the accused on bail, arguing that he posed a flight risk.
“Your Honour, the respondent was arrested while attempting to cross the border at Isebania,” the Investigating Officer told the court.
Further, the court heard that the accused had threatened the complainant in an attempt to coerce her into dropping the case.
“He told the complainant that if she did not withdraw the police report, he would expose obscene photos taken with her,” the Investigating Officer added.
The complainant is said to have fully paid the agreed amount and had been waiting for the delivery, which never materialized.
Magistrate Mugo ordered the accused to be remanded at Capital Hill Police Station and scheduled the ruling on his bail application for May 28, 2025.
