A Murang’a court on Tuesday sentenced a middle-aged woman to one year’s imprisonment after she was found guilty of stealing Sh30,000 from her sister-in law’s Mpesa account.
Her nephew who was co-accused was handed a two-year non-custodial sentence after he appeared remorseful and regretted his actions.
Joyce Njoki and Joseph Maina were jointly accused of stealing Sh30,000 from Freshia Wanjiru on January 23, 2025 at Kahatia shopping centre of Kahuro sub-county, Murang’a.
According to testimonies presented before the court, the two colluded to withdraw the money from Wanjiru’s phone as they purported to help her to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA).
In her testimony, Wanjiru said she had earlier attempted to register for SHA unsuccessfully till when the two approached her and offered to help her register for the health insurance cover.
She narrated that the second accused Maina, removed the sim card from her phone and used it in his phone on claims that Wanjiru’s phone had poor network.
Wanjiru further said Maina asked several questions including her identification card number, among other personal details saying they were required to register for SHA.
In the process, the accused, who was assisted by Njoki, managed to withdraw Sh20, 000 from a local Mpesa agent and another Sh10, 000 from a different agent.
The two who were familiar with the agents they had withdrawn the cash from, collected the money later according to the two agents who testified in the court.
Realizing her money was missing, Wanjiru reported the matter at Kiria Police Post, where the police later arrested the two suspects.
Upon examining Maina’s phone, police discovered that he had gained access to the complainant’s Mpesa PIN when he purchased mobile data bundles on her behalf.
Maina also mirrored Wanjiru’s Mpesa account onto his own device, enabling him to withdraw money remotely before deleting the mirrored app after the theft.
In his mitigation, Maina pleaded for leniency, admitting to have committed the offence and expressing remorse.
He told the court he was a casual labourer with dependents and promised to refund the stolen amount in instalments.
Chief Magistrate Ndwiga granted him a two-year probation, noting his willingness to reconcile and his remorseful attitude.
Njoki on the other hand maintained her innocence and claimed she had been framed. The court noted that her probation report portrayed her as unremorseful, deceitful about her family circumstances, and unwilling to take responsibility for her actions.
According to a probation report presented in court, local administrators described her as a serious criminal, irresponsible, and a habitual drunkard who was often violent and refused to heed advice.
Citing her lack of remorse and poor social record, the magistrate sentenced her to one jail term without option of paying fine.
By Bernard Munyao and Magdalene Wainaina
