A woman was on Friday sentenced to three years in prison after the court found her guilty of stealing Sh1.3 million from her employer in Nairobi.
Makadara Chief Magistrate Heston Nyaga convicted Ruth Khecha, who was charged with stealing the money from Nairobi businessman Paul Kanyi Mwangi in January 2019.
The court heard that Ms Khaecha, who was employed as Kanyi's house help in Balozi Estate in Muthaiga, Nairobi, stole the money and fled to her father's rural home in Kakamega county.
In his ruling, Justice Nyaga threw out Khaecha's claims that she never stole any money, but was awarded Sh800,000 by the complainant for allegedly giving him good sexual services.
“The defendant took off carrying a bag when her employers were not around and lied that she had gone to repair shoes and clothes, an act which, in my opinion, is inconsistent with a person who has been given money voluntarily,” he said.
Justice Nyaga dismissed Khaecha's claims that Mr Kanyi placed the money on her breasts on January 15, after the intercourse, money she said she used to buy Sh570,000 piece of land in Kakamega.
She said that she also bought two motorbikes and a solar panel for her father, an expenditure the magistrate noted that exceeds the amount she on earlier claimed to have been given.
He also pointed out that the fact that Khaecha revised to pick Kanyi's phonecalls until she was traced and arrested in Kakamega, is proof that she must have stolen the money.
“The respondent’s claim (that Kanyi left the money on her breasts), was hilarious and ingenious, but it does little to damage the evidence against her. Evidently, the defendant put the money into use as she purchased land and bought other items, including two brand new motorcycles,” he added.
Mr Kanyi, in his testimony, said that the money was stolen from his bedroom in his absence.
The magistrate ordered that all the property that was bought by the convict be sold and the money handed to the complainant, as well as the Sh70,000 she was left with.
Her jail term will begin on January 26, 2020.