Nairobi Businessman Accused of Ksh 7.2M Vehicle Fraud

A businessman has been charged at a Nairobi court with obtaining goods valued at Ksh 8.279 million by pretending he was in a position to pay.

Daniel Muriithi Waweru appeared before a Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi and denied the charges against him.

The prosecution told the court that, on October 8, 2020, and June 22, 2022, at Industrial Area within Nairobi County, with intent to defraud Prosper Sugai obtained assorted vehicles in the pretence that he would pay, a false fact.

He obtained two Range Rovers, nine Alto Suzuki Cars, one Toyota Voxy, one Daihatsu Mira, one Daihatsu Hijet, one Toyota Fielder, and one Toyota Land Cruiser, all valued at 8,278,673 Japanese Yen (Ksh 7,285,232).

He denied the charges and requested release on lenient terms, citing that the said motor vehicles were still in Japan.

“Your honor, I was the complainant’s employee for six years. He failed to pay my salary for two years, and that is the origin of this suit,” he said through his lawyer.

The lawyer further told the magistrate that not one of the said vehicles was registered in the country.

While seeking leniency for his client, he told the court that the accused was not a flight risk since his place of abode is known.

In response, state prosecutor Sonia Njoki did not deny his release on bond but urged for a string, considering the matter is weighty.

“We do not deny the accused to be released on reasonable terms commensurate with the offence,” she told the court.

In determination, the magistrate noted that the accused’s release on bond was not disputed. He proceeded to grant a bond of 10 million with a surety of a similar amount or alternative cash bail of 3 million with one contact person.

The magistrate further requested that a pre-bail report be available in court tomorrow so that bond terms can be reviewed.