By Andrew Kariuki

Paul Kimani Mwangi, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, has been charged with multiple offences including stealing by conversion and making documents without authority in a case involving Ksh7,590,000.

Mwangi appeared before Presiding Magistrate Wandia Nyamu at Makadara Law Courts, where he pleaded not guilty to all charges.

According to the charge sheet, the advocate is accused of stealing Ksh7,590,000 from his client, Joseph Kimani Muchiri, on diverse dates between June 13, 2023 and March 4, 2025.

The prosecution further alleges that on October 11, 2024, Mwangi forged several documents, including a KCB bank credit advice and KRA domestic payment slips, in what investigators believe was part of a scheme to facilitate fraudulent property-related transactions.

In opposing his release on bail, the prosecution told the court that the accused is a flight risk, arguing that he has no known place of residence after allegedly closing his law office.

“The accused has no known place of abode… This clearly shows that he is a flight risk,” the prosecution submitted.

The court also heard that attempts by the complainant to reach Mwangi through his family members were unsuccessful, further raising concerns over his availability for trial.

Additionally, the prosecution noted that the accused last renewed his practising certificate in 2023.

The defence, however, urged the court to grant bail, maintaining that Mwangi, as an advocate of the High Court, understands his legal obligations and would comply with court orders.

“He is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and will abide by the court’s decision as he understands the rules,” the defence submitted.

Magistrate Nyamu directed counsel for the accused to appear in court on April 29, 2026, to respond to the prosecution’s affidavit opposing bail.

Mwangi remains in custody pending further directions on the bail application.