A Nairobi woman, Carolyne Wanjiru Munene, has been charged before a city court with stealing flight tickets worth more than KSh 4.1 million from her employer, African Touch Safaris Limited, in what prosecutors describe as a calculated case of workplace fraud.
The allegations, which stretch back to late 2019, involve 21 distinct airline tickets allegedly stolen over a two-month period while Munene worked for the tour and travel company as an employee.
How the Alleged Theft Happened
According to court documents, the offence was allegedly committed between November 12, 2019, and January 9, 2020, during which Munene is accused of systematically diverting flight tickets belonging to African Touch Safaris.
The Kenya Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) say the theft was not an isolated incident but a series of unauthorized transactions conducted while the accused had access to the company’s ticketing and billing systems.
The stolen tickets, collectively valued at KSh 4,127,920, were traced to transactions that prosecutors believe were orchestrated by Munene “by virtue of her employment.”
Court Appearance and Legal Representation
Munene appeared before a Nairobi magistrate to answer to one count of stealing by servant, contrary to Section 281 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes theft by employees in positions of trust.
She was represented by her legal team comprising well-known criminal defence advocates Danstan Omari, Shadrack Wambui, and Stanley Kinyanjui, who signaled an aggressive defence strategy.
Speaking outside the court, one of her lawyers described the prosecution’s case as “speculative and unsupported by concrete evidence,” insisting that Munene’s arrest was based on “assumptions rather than proof.”
The court heard that Munene has been cooperating with investigators since her arrest, and her lawyers requested lenient bond terms, emphasizing that she is a resident of Nairobi with a known address and no prior criminal record.
Prosecution’s Evidence and Witnesses
The complainant, Rosemary Kaittany, who represents African Touch Safaris Limited, is the key witness in the case. She told investigators that an internal audit revealed discrepancies in the company’s flight ticket inventory, prompting an official complaint.
Prosecutors intend to rely on financial audit reports, electronic ticketing logs, and employee records to prove the alleged theft. The evidence, they say, will demonstrate that Munene diverted ticket stock and misappropriated proceeds from bookings she handled.
According to the ODPP, such internal theft cases are becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially in industries that rely heavily on digital platforms for sales and reservations.
Understanding the Charge: Stealing by Servant
Under Kenyan law, stealing by servant carries stiffer penalties than ordinary theft because it involves a breach of trust between an employer and their employee. The offence is punishable by up to seven years in prison, in addition to possible restitution orders requiring the offender to repay the stolen amount.
Legal experts note that convictions for this offence often result in both criminal penalties and civil liability, meaning the accused could also face a separate lawsuit for damages or recovery of losses.
The Defence Strategy
Munene’s defence team has signaled that it will challenge both the valuation of the stolen tickets and the chain of custody of evidence.
They argue that the prosecution has yet to prove how the alleged theft was detected, whether internal controls were properly followed, and whether other employees might have had access to the same ticketing system.
“The burden of proof rests squarely on the prosecution,” said one of her lawyers. “Our client maintains her innocence and looks forward to clearing her name.”
Next Steps in the Case
The court has adjourned the case to a later date to allow the prosecution to file additional documentation, including certified financial statements and forensic audit results.
At the next hearing, the magistrate will determine whether the prosecution has established a prima facie case strong enough to place Munene on her defence.
If convicted, she faces not only imprisonment but also restitution orders and possible blacklisting from future employment in Kenya’s tourism and travel industry.
Wider Implications: Fraud in Kenya’s Travel Sector
The Carolyne Wanjiru Munene flight ticket theft case has reignited conversations around employee fraud and internal accountability in Kenya’s travel and hospitality industries.
Experts warn that as companies increasingly digitize their operations, the potential for internal fraud through unauthorized access to digital systems continues to rise.
“Employers must strengthen their internal controls, audit processes, and staff vetting procedures,” said a financial crime analyst based in Nairobi. “Cases like this serve as a wake-up call for better governance and data oversight.”
Conclusion
As the case heads to full trial, both the prosecution and the defence are preparing for a legal showdown that could test the limits of Kenya’s anti-fraud laws.
For now, Carolyne Wanjiru Munene remains presumed innocent, with the court set to determine whether the evidence presented by African Touch Safaris and the ODPP meets the constitutional threshold for conviction.
The outcome of the case will not only determine Munene’s fate but could also shape future approaches to employee theft and corporate accountability in Kenya’s service sector.