Court Charges Man Over KSh 10.2m Fake Tea Deal

A man has been charged before a Nairobi court with multiple counts of fraud and money laundering involving more than KSh 10.2 million.

According to the charge sheet, Titus Nyakundi, on diverse dates between 1st September 2022 and 31st October 2024 in an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, with intent to defraud Anastacia Wanja, obtained KSh 10,297,469 by falsely pretending that he would buy her green tea, a fact he knew to be false.

He also faces a second charge of acquisition of proceeds of crime, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The charge states that during the same period, Nyakundi acquired the sum of KSh 10,297,469 from Wanja through a mobile phone registered in his name, while knowing or having reason to believe the said amount formed or was proceeds of crime.

In addition, Nyakundi faces an alternative charge of possession of proceeds of crime, contrary to section 16(1) of the same Act. The court heard that between September 2022 and October 2024, he was found in possession of KSh 10,297,469 in his mobile phone registered under his name, knowing or having reason to believe it was proceeds of crime.

A fourth charge of use of proceeds of crime was also brought against him, contrary to section 4(b) as read with section 16(1)(a) of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2009. The particulars stated that within the same period, he transacted the sum of KSh 10,297,469 in his mobile phone, while knowing or having reason to believe that the amount was proceeds of crime.

Nyakundi pleaded not guilty to all the charges read to him.

The court granted him an interim bond of KSh 5 million or, in the alternative, cash bail of KSh 3 million with two contact persons. He was also ordered to deposit his passport to the court.

The matter will be mentioned on 29th September 2025 for pre-trial.