Sons of Former AG James Karugu Charged with Conspiring to Defraud Sister
"Your honour, we do not oppose the release of the accused persons on bond, but we pray for terms that are commensurate with the offence committed," Isiaho prayed.
Two sons of former Attorney General James Karugu and their employee have been charged at a Milimani court with the offence of conspiracy to defraud their sister of her shares.
Eric Mwaura Karugu and Benjamin Githara Karugu were charged alongside Jane Wangechi Kabiu, alias Jane Kabiu Gitau, before the Milimani Chief Magistrate, Dolphina Alego, with four counts of forgery, conspiracy to defraud, Uttering of false documents, and giving false information.
The prosecution told the court that, on or about May 2, 2012, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, jointly conspired to defraud Victoria Nyambura Karugu of her shares by transferring one ordinary share from Mathara Holdings Limited to Centurion Holdings Limited.
The two brothers were also jointly charged with giving false information to a person employed in the public service, contrary to Section 129 (a) of the Constitution.
The court heard that on February 5, 2025, at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Headquarters in Nairobi, along Kiambu Road, Mwaura and Githara gave false information to police Inspector Peter Ouma, an investigator.
The duo informed the said investigator that they were given share transfer forms to sign information they knew to be false, thereby knowing it would cause the said officer to undertake an investigation which he ought not to have done if that information had not been given to him.
Separately, Wangechi who was the secretary at Mathara Holdings Limited faced two charges of forgery and uttering a false document.
She was charged that, on an unknown date in 2012, within the Republic of Kenya, with intent to deceive, she forged a share transfer form purporting it to be a genuine Share Transfer form of Victoria Nyambura Karugu.
At an unknown date in the said year, she uttered a forged Share Transfer Form purporting it to be a genuine document of Victoria Nyambura Karugu to the Director General, Business Registration Services.
They denied the charges and, through their lawyer, pleaded with the court to be released on lenient bail terms,
“Your honor, I plead with this court to grant my clients lenient bond terms, assuring the court that the accused will adhere to the terms and conditions to be set,” the lawyer prayed.
State prosecutor Hilary Isiaho did not oppose the accused being released on bond but urged the court to consider the gravity of the matter and grant terms that are commensurate with the offence.
“Your honour, we do not oppose the release of the accused persons on bond, but we pray for terms that are commensurate with the offence committed,” Isiaho prayed.
In her directions, the Magistrate considered the application by the defence and the prosecution, noting that bond is a constitutional right to the accused, and the same was not objected to.
She was released on a bond of Ksh 1.5 million with two sureties of a similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Ksh 70,000 with two contact persons each.
The matter will be mentioned on January 20, 2026, for pre-trial and direction.
