By Eldoret Leo 
An Eldoret-based car dealer has been charged with three counts of fraud after allegedly defrauding a client of more than Sh3.4 million in a vehicle importation deal.
Hildah Wanjiru Chomba appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Kesse Cheronoh, where she denied all three charges of obtaining money by false pretences, acquisition of proceeds of crime and cheating.
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The accused is alleged to have obtained money from her client, Stephen Kimani Chege, by falsely claiming that she could import a Volvo XC90 on his behalf, despite allegedly knowing that the representation was untrue.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences were committed on diverse dates between March 20 and April 10, 2026, at an unknown location within Kenya.
In one of the charges, Chomba is accused of receiving Sh2 million through an Equity Bank account from Chege, knowing or having reason to believe that the money constituted proceeds of crime.
She is also accused of fraudulently inducing the complainant to pay Sh1,442,664 to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in connection with the purported vehicle importation.
The charges relate to alleged offences under the Penal Code and the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
During the court proceedings, lawyer Richard Warigi, representing the complainant, opposed Chomba’s application for release on reasonable cash bail or bond terms, arguing that she posed a flight risk.
Warigi told the court that the accused had reportedly been in hiding for six months after allegedly defrauding his client, raising concerns that she could evade trial if released.
“Your Honour, we are opposed to an application by the suspect to be freed on bond or cash bail because she has been in hiding since she conned my client of his money under the pretext that she was in a position to import a motor vehicle for him,” Warigi argued.
The court is expected to consider the arguments surrounding her release as the case proceeds.
Robert Mutasi