Rent goes missing, property manager faces charges in court
A property manager charged with stealing over Sh6 million he collected in rent from several rental and commercial buildings in the city three years ago has a case to answer.
Consequently, Milimani senior principal magistrate Bernard Ochoi put Peter Gathungu Gikonyo on his defense.
Mr Gikonyo, the proprietor of Afriland Agencies (AA), which manages a host of residential and commercial buildings within Nairobi County for several property tycoons, was placed on his defense after the conclusion of the prosecution case.
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In his ruling, Mr Ochoi stated: “After analyzing all the evidence presented by state prosecutors James Gachoka and Philip Ade this court finds the accused has a case to answer.”
Mr Ochoi proceeded to put the accused on his defense to prove his innocence.
Mr Gikonyo, who is giving a sworn defense, is led by lawyer Sam Nyaberi.
Mr Gikonyo who presented a host of documents in self-defense, has denied stealing Sh4,390,560 from Kaggs Investment Limited between June 29 and September 1, 2020.
Kaggs is owned by Mr Francis Kibatta Kairu.
The charge states Mr Gikonyo had been entrusted with the money for safe custody.
The agent, out on a bond of Sh1 million, also faces another count of stealing from Keithian Investments Limited Sh1,743,340.
Exonerating himself from the allegations of stealing, Mr Githongo presented to the magistrate cheques paid to a city lawyer Charles Muga whom he said had taken over management of the properties in question.
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The accused said he had been asked by Mr Muga to continue collecting rent from the properties within the Central Business District (CBD) and its environs.
“Mr Muga called me sometimes in February 2020 and asked me to remit to him all the deposits I was holding from collections of rent. We held several meetings in his office until 3am discussing the matter but never settled it,” Mr Githongo testified.
The accused informed the magistrate he answered Mr Muga that he was not holding any deposits from collected rent.
Mr Gikonyo told the court he collected rent from properties in Eastleigh, Ngara, Imara Daima, Kahawa Wendani, South B, and Mlango Kubwa, then remitted all the money to the new managers who had promised to pay him commission which he never did.
Gikonyo told the court he was never involved in an audit that showed he never remitted Sh6,133,900 he collected in rent.
Hearing continues.
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