Nairobi-based business mogul Peter Gathungu Gikonyo presented himself before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi on Tuesday to convey his side of the story regarding the alleged theft of Ksh 6 million in rent that he allegedly collected from various residential and commercial buildings in the city three years ago.
Mr Gathungu, the owner of Afriland Agencies (AA), which manages various residential and commercial buildings in Nairobi County, is accused of stealing Sh4, 390,560 from Kaggs Investment Limited, which is owned by Mr Francis Kibatta Kairu, and another Sh1, 743,340 from Keithian Investments Limited between June 29 and September 1, 2020.
In his ruling, Mr. Bernard stated that Mr. Gathungu, who was entrusted with the money for safe custody, has a case to answer before the Court because the prosecution had concluded his case.
“This court concludes that the accused has a case to answer after reviewing all of the evidence presented by state prosecutors James Gachoka and Philip Ade,” said, Mr. Bernard.
Mr. Gathungu denied the allegations by presenting documents and cheques to the magistrate through his lawyer, Sam Nyaberi, demonstrating transactions paid to a city lawyer identified as Charles Muga, whom he claimed had taken over management of the properties.
The accused, who is free on a Sh1 million bond, added that he had paid all the rent to the new management after collecting it from properties in Eastleigh, Ngara, Imara Daima, Kahawa Wendani, South B, and Mlango Kubwa.
“Mr Muga called me sometime in February 2020 and asked me to send him all of the rent deposits I was holding. We discussed the matter in his office several times but never resolved it,” Gathungu Said.
