A 23-year-old M-Pesa agent, Faith Njoki, was fined Ksh. 40,000 or face a six-month jail sentence after being found guilty of stealing Ksh. 30,000 from her employer in Murang’a County. The incident, which unfolded between November and December 2024, occurred in the Zabka area of Murang’a South Sub-County, where Njoki was employed by Anthony Kimani, the owner of an electrical shop that expanded to offer M-Pesa services.
According to the prosecution, Kimani initially provided Njoki with a starting operating balance of Ksh. 10,000 to run the M-Pesa services at his shop. However, after some time, Njoki requested an additional Ksh. 20,000 to continue operating the service smoothly. Kimani, believing the request was legitimate, added the requested amount, bringing the total funds to Ksh. 30,000.
In January 2025, Njoki informed her employer that the M-Pesa service was not functioning. Kimani later discovered that the line had been suspended due to insufficient funds. Upon further inquiry with the service administrator, it was revealed that the line had been suspended because of a low balance, leading Kimani to request Njoki’s M-Pesa statement. The statement indicated that Njoki had misappropriated the funds entrusted to her for the business operations.
Kimani, distressed by the findings, reported the theft to the Kenol police station, prompting an investigation that led to Njoki’s arrest. During her trial, the prosecution presented the M-Pesa statement as key evidence in the case. Njoki pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting her wrongdoing but also seeking leniency from the court, citing personal challenges as her motivation for the theft.
“I am an orphan, and I stole the money to seek treatment as I was suffering from depression. I am sorry,” Njoki told the court, hoping for a less severe penalty.
Despite her plea for mercy, Senior Resident Magistrate Sheila M. Nyaga was unconvinced by Njoki’s explanation. In delivering her verdict, Magistrate Nyaga emphasized the importance of honesty and integrity in business dealings and urged Njoki to understand the gravity of her actions. As a result, the court imposed a fine of Ksh. 40,000, with a six-month prison sentence as an alternative if the fine was not paid.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges in managing M-Pesa agent networks, where trust and integrity are vital to maintaining the financial system’s credibility. It also raises concerns about the personal struggles faced by employees in such roles and the potential for financial mismanagement in small businesses.
