A middle-aged house-help was on Monday, September 30 arraigned before a Murang’a court facing charges of stealing KSh300, 000 from her employer.

Jane Muthoni, who appeared before Chief Magistrate Peter Ndwiga, is accused of stealing the money from her employer at Kongoini village in Murang’a County on diverse dates between May and August 4, 2024.

She was further charged with being in possession of stolen household items worth KSh31, 300.

Muthoni who pleaded not guilty will be detained in custody after the prosecution applied for the accused to be denied bail.

The prosecution counsel told the court that the accused was a flight risk stating she had gone into hiding and switched off her phone upon learning that detectives were searching for her.

Muthoni was eventually apprehended on August 27 at Gatura village, Murang’a, where she had rented a house after relocating from her employer’s premises.

Reports by the prosecution also indicate the accused had rented another house where she had stored the alleged stolen assorted household items.

In her response to the prosecution’s application, Muthoni said she did not steal anything from her employer, instead the employer gave her the money as support.

Taking into consideration the prosecution’s application, the magistrate said given Muthoni’s previous attempts to evade capture by changing her phone number, the accused will be remanded.

“The accused will be held in Murang’a GK prisons remand pending pre-trial and the court’s ruling on application of bond on October 14, when her case will be mentioned,” Ruled Ndwiga.