Woman held for stealing Sh14m from chemist till

Police have been granted prayers to hold a woman alleged to be part of a syndicate that lured a pharmacist into giving her his mobile phone only to swap sim cards and transferred a whopping 13, 987,400 for 14 days as investigations continue. 

Catherine Syokau Mbithuka shall remain in custody pending completion of investigations.

Appearing before Makadara senior resident Magistrate Praxidies Oduke,  Ann Morine Wanja, the investigating officer informed the court that the complainant, Kefa Manduku who is a pharmacist within Mukuru Kayaba slums, reported a case of fraud on May 22 at about 4pm. 

“Kefa, who operates a chemist namely Bongo Pharmaceuticals on Mandazi Road reported that a male customer went to his chemist and bought some medicine and requested him to send Sh200 to a lady who would come to be treated and pick up the medicine. It is suspected that during the transaction, the male suspect who is still at large got sight of the M-pesa pin” reads the affidavit. 

Syokau, who is the main suspect, is claimed to have orchestrated the plan with her husband, who is still on the run. Preliminary investigations reveal that Syokau was at the scene of crime on the fateful day.

She was busted hiding at the rooftops of an incomplete house in Tassia. 

She is believed to have received the share of the stolen money because police found a new five seater couch and a TV set with receipts showing the day of purchase as May 5, just after the money was stolen. Police believe the items are proceeds of crime. 

Syokau was arrested in possession of four mobile phones and ten sim cards which require complex forensic analysis.

PC Wanja informed the court that Syokau was a flight risk since she had been on the run after crime.