A public servant has been charged with obtaining Sh 4 million from a woman pretending he would help her procure a tender with the government.
Bernard Gitonga Rukunga was charged that on diverse dates between July 2020 and April 2021 at Nairobi with intent to defraud, obtained sh 4,718,230 from Lydia Kioo pretending that he would help her procure tenders with the government.
Appearing before Milimani Chief Magistrate Susan Shitubi, Gitonga denied the allegations pleading with the court to release him on lenient bond terms.
He claimed he could only afford Ksh 50,000 as bond since he had a young family.
The magistrate ruled that although the prosecution did not oppose release of the accused person on bond, it was necessary to issue bond commensurate with the money alleged to have been obtained.
The magistrate released him on a bond of Ksh 2 million with an alternative cash bail of Ksh 1 million.
The bond term ruling by the magistrate angered the defense Lawyer Nyangito who attacked the Magistrate in open court claiming the bond terms were harsh.
He proceeded to tell the Magistrate she cannot qualify to be a Judge because of her strictness and that he will always be ready to shoot her down in case they meet at the JSC interviews.
Magistrate Shitubi remained calm throughout the attack assuring other accused persons in court that they should not be worried as the attack cannot shake or change her moods.
“Do not be worried, I am a very strong person emotionally, the attacks cannot affect me, it is something we have to get used to,” assured the Magistrate.
