Ex-sales rep charged with stealing Sh8.3 million from Nairobi liquor distributor

A 26-year-old former saleswoman at a liquor distribution company is facing charges of stealing by servant over allegations that she misappropriated Sh8.3 million belonging to her employer.

Lucy Mukihi Mbugua, a former sales representative at Riverrose Group of Companies’ Mirema Distribution Centre in Nairobi’s Kasarani Sub-County, is accused of stealing by servant after allegedly disappearing following months of handling significant transactions.

Mbugua is accused of failing to account for sales proceeds amounting to Sh8,308,542 between February 2, and July 5, 2026.

In her role, she was responsible for conducting sales, maintaining accurate records, collecting payments and ensuring all monies received were properly accounted for and remitted to the company.

The company says she stopped reporting to work on July 5 and has not returned since. An internal audit subsequently found that goods worth approximately Sh10 million had been sold to customers during the period in question, but corresponding proceeds had allegedly not been remitted or adequately accounted for.

Investigators are expected to examine sales records, invoices, delivery notes, customer statements, M-Pesa transactions and other financial documents.

Mbugua was arrested on August 27, 2026, after the company reported that she had allegedly misappropriated funds entrusted to her by virtue of her employment.

In an affidavit opposing her release on bond, the investigating officer said discrepancies had been found between company records and payments allegedly made by customers directly to Mbugua, including M-Pesa payments that were not reflected in the company’s records.

The investigator said documentary and electronic evidence had been obtained but was yet to be fully analysed. The prosecution also argued that Mbugua was a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses or evidence, noting that investigators and a private investigator had traced her through her boyfriend.

However, her lawyer, Levi Munyere, dismissed the charges as trumped up and opposed the prosecution’s application for stringent bond terms.

“The accused has low blood pressure, an underlying medical condition requiring treatment, and anxiety that she experienced while working for the complainant,” he said.

Munyere told the court that the complainant had made unwanted advances towards Mbugua, which allegedly contributed to her leaving the job.

The defence further argued that Mbugua could not intimidate the complainant and urged the court to grant her reasonable bond terms to enable her to access medical care and participate in the proceedings.

The prosecution asked the court, should it grant bond, to bar Mbugua from visiting the complainant’s premises or contacting, intimidating or threatening witnesses.