A Mililani chief Magistrate’s court released a TikTok influencer accused of obtaining money by false pretenses on bond of Sh5 million.
Chief magistrate Lucas Onyina released Maria Wangari Kamunge, alias Rish Kamunge pending investigations into allegations of defrauding hundreds of job seekers seeking employment abroad.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had moved to court through a miscellaneous application seeking to detain Kamunge for seven days pending investigations.
The DCI through corporal Joseph Karanja told magistrate Onyina that Kamunge was operating under the agency Trustpin Verified Agent Ltd and had promised individuals job opportunities abroad between January 1, 2025, and March 20, 2025.
They were required to pay between Sh200,000 and Sh300,000 via M-Pesa to a provided number.
After receiving the payments, Karanja alleged, the suspect failed to fulfill her promises and became untraceable.
According to the court documents, members of the public traced the influencer on March 26, and she was arrested at an office in Nairobi, after which she was taken to Central Police Station.
Karanja said several more complainants have reported similar incidents of fraud to the police.
“A number of complainants including one Judith Bosibori lodged complainant against the respondent at the DCI central Nairobi,” read court documents.
The DCI argued that investigations could not be completed within the stipulated 24 hours and that M-Pesa transaction records and witness statements needed to be obtained to support the charges.
Karanja also claimed that the Kamunge had been in hiding before her arrest, indicating a likelihood that she would abscond if released on bail.
Additionally, the court heard that the public might attempt to harm the suspect if she was granted bond.
“Grant of custodial orders will not be prejudicial to the respondent,” said Karanja.
Onyina ordered Kamunge to be released on a bond of Sh5 million and report to the police whenever required.
“I have not seen any compelling reasons adduced by the applicant to warrant the detention of the respondent (Kamunge) for seven days. The application is not merited and is hereby declined,” Onyina ruled.
Prosecution urged the court to allow police detain Kamunge for the seven days to conclude the investigations as releasing her at this stage of the case would put her life in danger since angry members of the public might harm her should the court release her on bond.
In objecting to the said application, Kamunge, through her lawyer, told court that she was actually attacked while undertaking her normal duties in her workplace.
