The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) has secured a major legal victory with the freezing of 11 properties belonging to businesswoman Mathee wa Ngara, a key figure in an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. These properties, located in Juja-Kalimoni and Vihiga County, are suspected to have been acquired through the illicit proceeds of narcotics trade.
Mathee wa Ngara, whose real name is Nancy Kigunzu, has been under intense scrutiny by authorities due to her alleged involvement in the trafficking and distribution of narcotic drugs. The court orders, issued by Justice Benjamin Musyoki, target properties linked to Ngara and her close associates, including George Jumba, Judith Makungu, Brince Sande, and Benard Avesa. These individuals, listed as respondents in the case, are accused of assisting her in concealing the illicit origin of the wealth she accumulated through the drug trade.
In his ruling, Justice Musyoki instructed that the title documents for these 11 properties be surrendered to the court, and a caveat be placed on their registration records to prevent any further transactions involving these assets. This move is part of a broader effort by the ARA to prevent the dissipation of assets linked to criminal activity before the agency can apply for their permanent forfeiture.
Mathee wa Ngara, who was arrested in August at a Juja apartment, is facing serious charges related to narcotics trafficking. Her arrest came after a series of investigations that uncovered a network of operations used to facilitate the distribution of illegal drugs. At the time of her apprehension, authorities discovered a Toyota Sienta believed to have delivered a consignment of narcotics to her. During the search of the apartment, law enforcement officers recovered several items, including six sacks of dry plant material suspected to be drugs, a weighing scale, a brown diary, and title deeds for various properties.
The ARA has accused Mathee wa Ngara of using the proceeds from her illegal drug activities to acquire extensive real estate, which she registered under her own name and that of her associates to hide the origin of the funds. According to the agency, she employed a “complex criminal mechanism” involving trafficking, distribution, and sales of narcotics. The properties in question were purchased with these illicit funds, further cementing the suspicion that Ngara’s wealth is the result of unlawful activity.
The court’s recent orders are a significant step in the effort to disrupt Ngara’s criminal operations and seize assets acquired through illegal means. In addition to the freezing of the properties, Justice Musyoki also directed that any rental income generated by the Juja apartments be deposited into an account controlled by the ARA. This move is aimed at ensuring that the proceeds from these properties do not continue to benefit those involved in the drug trade.
Furthermore, the judge issued a prohibition on the sale or transfer of two motor vehicles registered in the names of Mathee wa Ngara and George Jumba. The vehicles, which are also suspected to be part of the illicit wealth obtained through drug trafficking, are to be surrendered to the ARA, along with their original logbooks. Additionally, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) was instructed to place a caveat on the records of these vehicles, ensuring that they cannot be transferred or sold until the investigation is concluded.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts by Kenyan authorities to combat drug trafficking and money laundering. The freezing of assets linked to individuals involved in such crimes is an important tool in the fight against organized criminal syndicates. The Assets Recovery Agency continues to pursue further action in its investigation of Mathee wa Ngara and her associates, with the eventual aim of forfeiting the assets and disrupting the networks that facilitate illegal drug trade in the region.
As the case unfolds, the court’s actions demonstrate the government’s commitment to using legal measures to dismantle criminal enterprises and ensure that the proceeds from such illegal activities are not allowed to infiltrate legitimate sectors of the economy. The freezing of properties and vehicles linked to Mathee wa Ngara serves as a warning to others involved in similar criminal endeavors, signaling that authorities will take decisive action against those who profit from illegal activities.
