Businesswoman charged with stealing Sh966,000 valuables from ex- husband
Courts
By
Nancy Gitonga
| Nov 04, 2025
A Nairobi businesswoman was on Tuesday charged with stealing valuables worth nearly one million shillings and maliciously damaging property belonging to her former husband in Lang’ata, Nairobi.
Mary Waithira Gikonyo, 50, appeared before Kibera Senior Principal Magistrate Agnetta Ogonda, where she denied two counts of stealing and malicious damage to property.
According to the charge sheet filed in court by the office of the DPP, on March 22, 2025, at Kumbe Road in Hardy, Lang’ata Sub-county, Waithira, jointly with others not before court, allegedly willfully and unlawfully damaged a main gate, broke the door to the main house, window panes, and a CCTV camera, all valued at Sh325,000, the property of her former husband, Eric Munene.
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In the second count, the prosecution alleges that on the same day and location, Waithira and her accomplices stole household items and electronics, including a gold jewellery watch (Casino brand), an iPhone 14, a Samsung video camera, three HP laptops, two PlayStations, and two wall clocks, all valued at Sh933,500, also belonging to her estranged husband.
The total loss from the incident is estimated at Sh966,000.
When the charges were read out, Waithira denied the offences.
Through her lawyer, John Swaka, she pleaded for leniency, telling the court that she is a responsible citizen who will obey court summons.
“Your honour, my client is ready to comply with all the terms to be set by this court. She is not a flight risk and will present herself whenever required,” Swaka told the court.
However, the prosecution, led by Ismael Jama, opposed her release, warning that she could interfere with witnesses since investigations were still ongoing.
“Your honour, I would like the court to deny bond to the accused person because investigations are still ongoing, and she may interfere with witnesses,” said Jama.
In her ruling, Magistrate Ogonda said that the right to bail is constitutional and can only be denied on valid grounds.
“I have considered the applications by both sides. Bail is a constitutional right, and in the absence of compelling reasons, I hereby release the accused person on a cash bail of Sh50,000,” ruled the magistrate.
The case will be mentioned on November 27, 2025, for pre-trial directions.
Court documents indicate the case was filed under Criminal Case No. 991/2025 and originated from Hardy Police Station under OB number 18/22/03/2025.