A pastor from the city has been accused of defrauding two sisters and their friend, who are based in the United States of America (USA), of a total of Sh6.8 million. The pastor, Catherine Wairimu Ng'ang'a of Arise and Healing and Deliverance Church located in Githurai, was brought before the Milimani law courts and faced four charges of obtaining money through deception. Denying the charges, she appeared before senior principal magistrate Zainab Abdul.

The 53-year-old lady pastor allegedly defrauded Noel Njeri Ngure, Lilian Muthoni Ngure, and Anne Nyambura Njogu between February and September 2021. From Noel, Pastor Wairimu reportedly obtained Sh4 million by falsely claiming that she could sell her a piece of land identified as Mowlem/Nairobi Block 169/285. The pastor was arrested on May 28, 2023, and taken into police custody. It was alleged that she received the Sh4 million on various dates between February 1 and August 12, 2021.

Similarly, between March 12 and August 12, 2021, the accused preacher received Sh1,735,000 from Lilian Muthoni Ngure by deceitfully asserting that she could sell her a parcel of land identified as Mowlem/Nairobi Block 169/287. Furthermore, on August 31 and September 24, 2021, she received an additional amount of Sh900,000 from Lilian Muthoni Ngure, falsely claiming that she could sell her three stalls at the New Wakulima Kangundo Road Market. The magistrate noted that the pastor knew she was lying and did not have the ability to sell the market stalls to Lilian.

The fourth charge against the pastor stated that she defrauded Ann Nyambura Njogu of Sh253,200 by misleading her into believing that she could sell her a piece of land known as Mowlem/Nairobi Block 169/286.

During the court proceedings, Pastor Wairimu requested to be released on bail, assuring the court that she would comply with all directions. The prosecution did not oppose her release on bond. As a result, Ms. Abdul granted her bail of Sh500,000 in cash, along with the requirement of providing one contact person. The case is scheduled to be mentioned on June 12, 2023, for pre-trial directions. Subsequently, Ms. Abdul will set a date for the hearing of the case, where Pastor Wairimu will have the opportunity to confront her accusers.