- Mr Peter Gathungu Gikonyo at milimani law courts where he pleaded not guilty.
- House Agent has been charged with theft of rent amounting to Sh8.6m entrusted to him by tenants renting properties he supervises in upmarket areas within Nairobi county.
Mr Peter Gathungu Gikonyo who is employed by Kaggs Investment Limited denied the said charges before Milimani law courts chief magistrate Ms Martha Mutuku.
The accused is alleged to have stolen the colossal sum within a span period of three months.
Mr Gikonyo was charged that on diverse dates between June 29 and September 1, 2020, being an agent of Kaggs Investment Limited he stole a whopping Sh8,684,000.
A defence lawyer applied to the magistrate to free Gikonyo on reasonable bond terms saying he is not a flight risk.
“I know the accused as well as the complainant in this case. Mr Gikonyo is not a fIight risk and works for gain in Nairobi,” the magistrate was told.
Ms Mutukumagistrate further heard the accuseds’ both city and rural residences are well known and therefore cannot skip court attendances.
“I have advised the accused very well on the dangers of not attending court.He has understood,” the lawyer stated.
He has undertaken to abide by the bail terms to be imposed by the court.
The prosecution counsel Mr Anderson Gikunda was not opposed to the bail plea.
He told the magistrate to consider the amount in the charge sheet.
Ms Mutuku heard Mr Gikonyo stole the money entrusted to him for retaining in safe custody.
“Mr Gikonyo received the money on account of Kaggs Investment Ltd which has put up rental properties within upmarket areas within Nairobi County,” Mr Gikunda told Ms Mutuku.
Mr Gikunda asked the court to consider the amount stated in the charge sheet while setting the bond terms.
He informed the court that he will furnish the accused with all the witness statements and exhibits within a fortnight to enable him prepare his defence.
In her short ruling, the magistrate said bail is a constitutional right for all accused persons regardless of the indictment against them.
She proceeded to grant Mr Gikonyo a bond of Sh1million with one surety with an alternative cash bail of Sh500,000.
Ms Mutuku directed the accused to appear in court on December 3, 2020 for pre-trial directions.
