Two Meru NGAAF officials arraigned in Meru court over theft

Samuel Njoroge and Joseph Murithi when they were arraigned before a Meru law court over theft

Two officials attached to the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) in Meru county were on Wednesday arraigned facing theft charges of items worth Sh686,965.

 The two, Samuel Njoroge and Joseph Murithi, faced two other charges of conspiring to commit a felony and tampering with evidence.

 The prosecution told Chief Magistrate Lilian Maina that the two suspects stole items meant for Wezesha Mama, Inua Jamii Empowerment programme on September 8, 2025.

 Among the stolen items were eight carwash machines, two makinga blocks machines, four wheelchairs, seven pairs of crutches and 14 sufurias.

 The court heard that the offence was committed at Gikumene Primary School where the items had been stored.

 The prosecution accused the two of conspiring with others not before the court to unlawfully acquire the items and later tampered with the registration number of a white Isuzu lorry that is believed to have been used in the theft.

 The suspects however pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

 “Since you have pleaded not guilty, you will be released on a cash bail of Sh300,000 each or a bond of Sh700,000 with a surety of a similar amount,” the magistrate said.

 The court scheduled the case for a mention on September 23 while a hearing is set for November 5 this year.

 Wezesha Mama, Inua Jamii Empowerment programme aims at empowering women and is facilitated by Micro and Small Entreprises Authority in partnership with Kenya Women Parliamentary Association and National Government Affirmative Action Fund.

 It empowers women to participate equitably in skilled work and benefit from social protection measures to close gender gaps in the workforce and enable them to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development.

 The programme was in Meru on September 8 led by Meru Women Representative Karambu Kailemia in an event attended by Bomet Woman Representative Linet Toto, Parliament Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei and Meru Deputy Governor Linda Kiome.