A househelp in Nairobi was on Monday, May 30, charged with stealing Ksh98 million stashed in her employer's house in the Langata neighbourhood at the Kibera Law Courts.
In a charge sheet seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Shelsmith Kiprono alias Jerop and her four accomplices stole Ksh4 million and Ksh94 million (USD806,000), both in cash, from her employer on May 5.
Kiprono, Caleb Ngomere, Brian Agivaza, Jackline Minayo and Eunice Akinyi were charged with conspiracy to commit a felony. They also made away with documents of properties owned by her employer.
"Charge count one; conspiracy to commit felony contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code, Chapter 63, Laws of Kenya,"
"At the state, they jointly and with others not before the court, conspired to commit a felony namely stealing her cash: Ksh4,000,000, USD806,000, jewellery worth Ksh4 million and copies of logbooks and title deeds totaling to Ksh104 million," the charge sheet read in part.
The investigating officer presented three witnesses including the househelp's boss, a family member and a man identified as Athanus Mutiso.
Through her lawyer, Danstan Omari, the victim requested the Chief Magistrate to reverse the bond terms awarded to Jerop who had been released on a Ksh1 million - this is after the court reduced the amount from Ksh7 million.
The complainant told the court that she had feared for her life after she was threatened and intimidated. She also argued that the suspect was a flight risk.
"We have raised this issue with the investigating officer. The accused intend to disappear from the jurisdiction; having stolen the money, a bond of Ksh1 million can lead them to disappear," Omari stated.
Jerop was arrested in Eldoret by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Special Service Unit and Criminal Intelligence and Research bureau. So far, officers have managed to recover Ksh2.5 million from the suspect.
According to the affidavit, the suspects accessed the house through the back door, before breaking into a metallic safe where the money was kept. They then made away with the loot through the front door.
The incident comes barely a month after two househelps were arraigned at the Miliamani Law Courts on Monday, May 9. The duo was accused of stealing Ksh32 million from their boss in Nairobi's upmarket Karen Estate.
