Businesswoman deny theft, property damage charges before a Kibera court
A Nairobi businesswoman Mary Waithera Gikonyo has denied theft and property damage charges against her former spouse Eric Munene.
She denied the charges before the a Kibera Law Court where she is accused of stealing valuables worth Sh950,000 and maliciously damaging property belonging to Munene in Nairobi’s Karen area.
While appearing before Principal Magistrate Agnetta Ogonda, Waithera pleaded not guilty to both counts after the prosecution outlined the allegations against her.
According to court documents, on March 22, 2025, along Kumbe Road in Hardy, Lang’ata Sub-county, Waithira together with others said to be at large, allegedly stole several items including a Casino gold jewellery watch, an iPhone 14, a Samsung video camera, three HP laptops, two PlayStations, and two wall clocks, all valued at Sh933,500 and said to belong to Munene.
In a second charge, Waithira was accused of malicious damage to property contrary to the Penal Code.
The prosecution claimed that on the same date and location, she and her alleged accomplices willfully destroyed the main gate, doors, window panes, and CCTV cameras, all valued at Sh325,000, also belonging to Munene.
Through her lawyer, John Swaka, the accused requested the court to grant lenient bond terms, arguing that she posed no flight risk and would abide by any conditions set.
“Your honour, I pray for lenient terms considering that the accused is not a flight risk and she is willing to comply with terms to be set by this court,” Swaka submitted.
However, State Prosecutor Ismail Jama opposed the bail request, urging the court to either deny bond or impose strict terms, arguing that investigations were still ongoing.
“Your honour, I would request the court to deny bond to the accused because the officer investigating the matter is in the process of tracing the stolen items, and the accused can interfere with investigations,” Jama said.
He further reminded the court that while Article 49 of the Constitution grants every accused person the right to bail, such a right may be limited if compelling reasons exist.
The defence countered this position, asserting that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate any such compelling grounds and noting that the dispute stemmed from a domestic disagreement between Waithira and her ex-husband.
After considering both submissions, Magistrate Ogonda ruled that the accused was entitled to bail, observing that there were no valid reasons to restrict that right.
“I have considered the application by both sides and I hereby grant the accused person cash bail of Sh50,000 with one contact person,” the magistrate ruled.
Additionally, the court prohibited Waithera from communicating directly with the investigating officer, either in person or through text messages, except via her legal counsel after concerns were raised suggested she was sending cryptic messages to the officer.
The matter was scheduled for mention on November 27, 2025, for pre-trial and further directions.
Meanwhile, sources familiar with the case have linked Waithira to previous serious allegations.
She is said to have been implicated in the death of her first husband, identified as Kinoti, at Sun Valley One, where she allegedly took over his property.
It is further alleged that she later attempted to kill her second husband, Murange Thungura, though that attempt reportedly failed.
Authorities have cautioned the public to remain alert as investigations into her past and present conduct continue
