By Wanja Waweru
A hardware worker who reportedly withheld Sh140, 000 that was erroneously sent to his Mpesa account was accused of doing so in violation of section 35 of the 2018 law against computer usage and cybercrime.
Tony Munyoki Kimanzi was charged with withholding electronic payment after receiving money that was supposed to be delivered to a different individual but was instead sent to his mobile number by Abdikadir Muhumed on December 25 of last year from his M-banking Equity Bank account.
When Mr. Muhumed entered the incorrect digits while transferring the money as he made certain payments, Mr. Kimanzi received the money.
He tried to get in touch with Mr. Kimanzi to return the money after recognizing his error, but the accused had turned off his phone.
Two days of fruitless attempts to contact the accused led him to escalate the situation to the police.
He reported the incident to the Shaurimoyo police station, and after it was taken over by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), who tracked down and detained Mr. Kimanzi in Kitengela, Kajiando County, where he was employed at a hardware store, the investigation was completed.
Mr. Kimanzi refuted the accusations before Senior Principal Magistrate Mary Njagi of the Makadara Law Courts.
He was released on a Sh100,000 bond without the chance to post a cash bail.
Prior to the hearing beginning on June 22 of this year, the case will be discussed on March 28.
