In a landmark ruling, Justice Esther Maina has mandated Margaret Wanja Muthui, a former Kenya Rural Roads Authority employee, to relinquish 11 opulent Kileleshwa houses valued at Sh265 million.
The court also directed the government to seize Sh14 million from Muthui’s Cooperative Bank fixed deposit account, as she failed to account for the source of funds used in the 2019 property acquisitions.
The Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) initiated legal action in 2021 against several individuals, including Esther Wagio Njunge, Margaret Wanja Muthui, Light House Trading Company Limited, Grace Nyambura Ndiritu, Mercy Wambui Nyambura, and Cynthia Wanjiku Nyambura. The agency acted on a tip, suspecting that the respondents were involved in a scheme to acquire cash and assets from illicit activities.
Court records reveal that Njunge, a director of Lighthouse Trading, and Muthui, then deputy director of supply chain management at KeRRA, were key figures in the alleged corruption. Grace, a green grocer at Githurai market, and Mercy, a graduate of Moi University, were identified as relatives of Ephantus Kimotho Kimani, who is described as their uncle.
Justice Maina highlighted Muthui as the primary purchaser and developer of the properties, unable to justify the origin of the funds. The judge declared that Muthui’s associates were unwittingly used to launder the ill-gotten money, emphasizing their role in concealing the true owner of the properties.
The court also ruled on the forfeiture of Sh75 million from Njunge’s Cooperative Bank account and Sh7 million from Light House’s account. Additionally, various properties, including House No3 Collingham Gardens, land in Ruaka, a residential flat in Ruaka known as Taraji Residence, and a parcel in Dagoretti, Riruta, purchased by Light House, were deemed proceeds of crime. The judge declared that any rental income, benefits, or profits from these assets are liable for forfeiture to the government, to be managed by the Asset Recovery Agency.
