Two directors of a company trading as Brighter Africa Limited have denied defrauding two investors of KSh 28 million.
The accused, Brian Mukolwe and Yvette Atieno Okoth, appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, where they denied the criminal charges brought against them.
According to the charge sheet, the two allegedly obtained KSh 20.75 million from Andanje Sheila Buyechero between May 1, 2021, and June 30, 2024, by falsely claiming they could help her invest in microfinance.
“On diverse dates between 1st May 2021 and 30th June 2024, within the Republic of Kenya, being the directors of Brighter Africa Limited, jointly conspired to defraud Andanje Sheila Buyechero of KSh 20,750,000 — a fact they knew to be false,” the charge sheet read.
They are also accused of obtaining KSh 8.78 million from Ernest Were between June 1, 2019, and March 30, 2023, under similar false pretenses.
In addition, the charge sheet states that the accused operated a microfinance business without a license.
“On diverse dates between 1st January and 30th April 2024, within Nairobi, being directors of Brighter Africa Limited, they carried out business without a licence from the Capital Markets Authority and the Central Bank of Kenya,” it added.
Through their lawyer, the accused pleaded for lenient bond terms, stating they were not flight risks and had cooperated with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“Your Honour, when the DPP decided to charge my clients, they voluntarily presented themselves and were released on cash bail of KSh 50,000,” said the lawyer, adding that the second accused is a lactating mother of a one-year-old child.
The prosecution did not oppose their release on bail.
The magistrate ordered each of the accused to deposit a cash bail of KSh 100,000 or an alternative bond of KSh 500,000.
The case will be mentioned on May 20, 2025, for pre-trial.
