Two female employees from Goshens Real Estate in Kiambu were arraigned for their involvement in a significant embezzlement scheme amounting to Sh15.6 million over an 18-month period. Judy Muringe Mugo, aged 41 and occupying the role of Marketing Officer within the company, stands accused of orchestrating the diversion of rent payments intended for the company’s accounts to her personal lines and bank accounts. This deceit allegedly occurred under the guise of a company mobile phone line, which she directed tenants to use for their rent payments, instead of the officially designated Paybill and bank account channels outlined in lease agreements.

Following a report filed by Company Director Andrew Kirumba with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kiambaa on January 23, it was revealed that Muringe’s co-conspirator, Catherine Waithera Ruiru, aged 26 and serving as the receptionist, was complicit in falsifying records to cover up the misappropriation. This collusion facilitated the concealment of any discrepancies, thereby allowing the embezzlement to continue unchecked.

Further investigation by DCI uncovered a series of transactions traced back to Muringe, indicating transfers totaling Sh3,442,200 to Waithera, in addition to the diversion of funds into her own bank accounts. Records also revealed extravagant purchases made by Waithera, including a Sh750,000 Toyota Harrier from Autocad Motors on April 14, 2023. However, she subsequently transferred ownership of the vehicle to another individual, Andronicus Mbuthia Kamakia.

To prevent the potential utilization of ill-gotten gains, DCI officers impounded the Toyota Harrier and confiscated the personal phones of both suspects, along with the desktop computer utilized by Waithera. These items were submitted to the forensic cybercrime unit for thorough analysis, aiming to gather further evidence to substantiate the charges against the accused individuals.