By Andrew Kariuki
A 75 year old woman accused of defrauding Former Nairobi Governor and real estate investor Agnes Kagure Kariuki of a prime parcel of land valued at Ksh200 million has been released on bond by a Nairobi court.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Rose Ndombi at the Milimani Law Courts, Ruth Wambui Kimani was granted a Ksh1 million bond or an alternative cash bail of KSh100,000, after the court took into account her advanced age and health condition.
According to the charge sheet, Wambui faces two criminal counts conspiracy to defraud and making a false document. Prosecutors allege that she, together with another suspect not yet before the court, attempted to defraud Ms. Kagure of a 0.3252 hectare plot located along Jogoo Road in Nairobi.
Wambui is also accused of forging a national identity card in the name of one Francis Kimani Mungai, purporting it to be genuine and using it in the transaction connected to the contested land.
Her lawyer told the court that Wambui, a widow, is the administrator of her late husband’s estate, which includes the land in question. He added that she has already moved to the Environment and Land Court seeking to cancel the title deed registered in Ms. Kagure’s name, arguing that the property rightfully belongs to her family.
The defence further pleaded for leniency, noting that the accused suffers from diabetes and hypertension and is not a flight risk, stressing that she has cooperated with investigators since the matter arose.
However, the prosecution opposed lenient bail terms, insisting that the land in dispute is valued at over Ksh200 million and that the civil case should not shield the accused from criminal responsibility.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Ndombi ruled that Wambui had demonstrated sufficient reasons to be released on bond, emphasizing that the court would ensure a fair and expeditious trial for both parties.
The case will return to court on December 8, 2025, for a pre trial conference, as the elderly woman prepares to defend herself against charges tied to one of Nairobi’s most valuable pieces of land.
