A man who allegedly threatened to kill his cousin while demanding Sh1.9 million is facing charges of attempted extortion by threats contrary to section 300 (1) of the penal code.
Mr Benson Guthua is accused of colluding with accomplices at large in delivering threats to Margaret Wambui with intent to extort the money from her on diverse dates between September 13, 2020 and May 1, 2023 in Utawala, Njiru Sub County within Nairobi.
Ms Wambui had received a parcel containing scaring paraphernalia in September 2020 without any details about the source of the parcel. In February this year, she received a text reminding her about the parcel she had received.
She later received more messages from individuals who gave her a few days to respond, warning her to respond to the parcel failure to which she would face undisclosed consequences.
Ms Wambui later received a text message in April warning her that she should clear her late father’s debts with the senders, amounting to Sh1.9 million.
They shared details of all the places she had been living in Nairobi to scare her that they were monitoring her movements and those of her children.
Ms Wambui called the numbers sending the text messages and struck a deal of paying Sh1.7 million.
She was to send Sh1.5 million as a parcel to a boda boda rider who would be sent by the suspects while the remaining amount was to be picked at a date to be agreed later.
A boda boda rider was sent to Ms Wambui’s house on May 2, 2023 to pick the parcel to deliver it at a shopping mall in Embakasi.
Ms Wambui accompanied the rider as he went to deliver the parcel but while on the way, the rider was called by the suspects and diverted to Utawala.
Mr Guthua turned up with another person to pick the parcel from the rider but an argument ensued between them as the rider demanded payment before handing over the parcel.
Mr Guthua and his accomplice took off and left the rider after they spotted Ms Wambui approaching the scene. Ms Wambui reported the matter at Ruai Police Atation and Mr Guthua was traced and arrested.
Mr Guthua denied the charges before Makadara Chief Magistrate Francis Kyambia. He was released on a bond of Sh400,000. The case will be mentioned on June 15, 2023 before hearing starts on September 19, 2023.
