A businesswoman embroiled in a protracted dispute with her estranged husband has been released on Sh80,000 cash bail after appearing before a Kiambu court.
Esther Wangechi Kariuki, who operates businesses in Nairobi and Kiambu counties, was also granted an alternative bond of Sh200,000 by Kiambu Resident Magistrate Eric Muriuki.
The court directed that the case be mentioned on August 6, 2026, before Court 8 for pre-trial directions.
Kariuki’s release came amid allegations of intimidation and threats that she claims have been made against her by her former husband, Paul Macharia.
Speaking outside Kiambu Law Courts after the proceedings, Kariuki alleged that she had been separated from Mr Macharia for about two years but claimed that the dispute had persisted.
She accused her former husband of allegedly sending people to intimidate her, interfering with her businesses and threatening her livelihood.
Kariuki said she had reported some of the alleged incidents to the police but claimed that no action had been taken.
She further alleged that the criminal case against her was part of a wider campaign to damage her reputation and frustrate her financially.
“I have really held in so much, and so much has been happening in the background,” Kariuki said, adding that she had decided to speak publicly because of concerns over her safety.
She said she was raising her child and supporting herself and appealed to her former husband to allow her to move on with her life.
“I am just asking him to let me be, to let me live my life with my child. That’s all I’m asking him,” she said.
Kariuki declined to discuss the details of the criminal allegations against her, citing the ongoing court proceedings.
She, however, maintained that the accusations were malicious and said she was confident that the truth would emerge during the trial.
Her lawyers, Kimani Wakimaa and Philip Gakunju, welcomed the bail decision and said they were ready to defend their client.
Mr Wakimaa said the dispute was rooted in a family disagreement involving two people who were previously married and have a 14-year-old child.
He told the court that Kariuki had previously been released on a Sh20,000 police cash bail and had complied with the conditions imposed on her.
The lawyer urged the court to grant her reasonable bail terms, arguing that she had cooperated with investigators and had presented herself before the court to answer the charges.
The court subsequently granted her the Sh200,000 bond or Sh80,000 cash bail.
Outside court, Mr Wakimaa said the defence was prepared to face any additional charges that the prosecution might bring against his client.
He also raised concerns over Kariuki’s safety, urging the authorities to investigate her complaints and ensure that she was protected.
“She is a single mother and she has to earn a living and live her life and do business as it ought to be,” Mr Wakimaa said.
Mr Gakunju said his client had reported alleged threats to the police and recorded statements but claimed that little progress had been made in the investigations.
He described the charges against Kariuki as “trumped-up” but acknowledged that the matter would ultimately be determined by the court.
“My client is a business lady and her life is under threat. She has reported to all the necessary police channels,” Mr Gakunju said.
He further claimed that the prosecution had indicated that it could bring additional charges against Kariuki.
According to the lawyer, however, the prosecution had yet to provide the defence with the alleged additional charges or indicate when they would be formally presented in court.
Mr Gakunju also claimed that some documents in the possession of the purported complainants could undermine the allegations against his client.
The claims by the defence lawyers and Kariuki have not been tested in court, and Mr Macharia has not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the statements provided.
The case has also drawn the attention of Kariuki’s former sister-in-law, Penny Macharia, who attended the proceedings.
Ms Macharia said she had deliberately chosen not to take sides in the family dispute and attended court to understand the circumstances surrounding the case.
She said she had remained close to Kariuki despite the breakdown of her relationship with her brother.
Ms Macharia urged law enforcement agencies to handle complaints impartially and protect anyone who reported threats or intimidation, regardless of who was involved.
“It is not about my brother or my sister-in-law or taking sides. It is about following the law and taking action on the things that need to be actioned,” she said.
She also appealed to authorities to ensure that public officers did not misuse their positions to intimidate or harass members of the public.
During the bail ruling, Magistrate Muriuki noted that the State had not opposed Kariuki’s release but had indicated an intention to introduce additional charges.
The magistrate said the court had considered the Constitution and bail and bond guidelines before granting the accused the Sh200,000 bond or the alternative Sh80,000 cash bail.
The matter will return to court on August 6 for pre-trial directions.
The prosecution is expected to provide any further documents it intends to rely on as the case progresses.
The allegations made by Kariuki against her former husband remain unproven, while the charges facing her are yet to be determined by the court.
