A woman in Nairobi’s Buru-buru estate was arrested over claims of stealing money which had been contributed for purposes of offsetting funeral expenses.

Esther Nyambura Waititu was reported at Buruburu police station by her relatives who claimed that she disappeared after collecting Sh 1 million which has been contributed so as to offset pending bills including burial expenses for the two deceased persons.

It is reported her father died on June 18 and her mother in-law on June 19, forcing the family to create a WhatsApp group under the name of the suspect using her number.  The members in the created group were 257.

She was arraigned at Makadara law courts where police asked for more time to complete investigations.

In sworn affidavit, investigating officer Julius Magacha told the court that the offense occurred between June 21 and 29.

Magacha said Nyambura went missing and cut his communication, making her sister report the incident to authorities who embarked on searching for her since her father’s burial was scheduled for June 30.

Attempts to reach out to her proved futile as she could not be found.

The officer stated that preliminary investigations revealed that she was hiding at her house in the Membley area where she had locked herself inside the house. She refused to open the door and the police officers forced their way inside the house.

Magacha added that the suspect had used part of the money in betting while asking court for more time to complete his probe.

Magacha further informed the court that critical; information and report from the cybercrime unit is yet to be obtained and processed from the suspects mobile phone which was used to receive the contribution.

Suspect’s phone has been confiscated and kept as exhibits. “a recovery of stolen money is yet to be made and if the suspect is released on police cash bail, she might go into hiding” stated Magacha.

Senior Resident Magistrate Wandia Nyamu of Makadara law courts granted the officers orders to hold the suspect until July 7 when the matter shall be mentioned.