TikToker Maria Wangari Kamunge, also known as Rish Kamunge, has been granted a bond of Ksh.5 million after she was arrested and arraigned over fraud allegations.
Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina granted her the bond on Friday morning.
The defence team had opposed her bond application, urging the court for seven more days to conclude investigations.
In his ruling, Magistrate Onyina stated that the prosecution had failed to present compelling reasons for her continued detention.
“The prosecution has not demonstrated that the suspect’s safety is at risk or provided evidence of multiple complainants filing grievances,” he noted.
The magistrate directed Kamunge to report to the investigating officer until the case is concluded.
Kamunge, operating under the name Trustpine Verified Agent Ltd, is accused of promising Kenyans job opportunities abroad in exchange for payments ranging from Ksh.200,000 to Ksh.300,000.
However, after receiving the money, she allegedly failed to deliver on her promises and became unreachable.
According to the police, multiple complaints were lodged against her between January 1 and March 20, 2025.
The victims claimed they were instructed to send money via M-Pesa to a number registered under Kamunge’s name. When they failed to receive the promised jobs, they attempted to reach her, but she had reportedly gone into hiding.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), a total of 43 victims sent Ksh.12.9 million to Kamunge.
She was apprehended on March 26, 2025 in an office building in Nairobi by members of the public, who then handed her over to Central Police Station.
Since her arrest, additional victims have come forward with similar complaints, prompting the DCI to seek extended custody.
