This archive report was first published on 8 August 2019.
Published on August 8, 2019, a woman was charged with stealing a handbag from a worshipper at Jesus Is Alive Ministries Church in Nairobi.
Samantha Wairimu allegedly stole the bag containing cash and a mobile phone valued at Sh24,500 from Mary Thuku during a Sunday service.
Wairimu, seated next to Thuku, pretended to pray while Thuku stood up to worship, then quickly left the church with the handbag.
After the prayer, Thuku realised her handbag was missing, and worshippers behind her told her that Wairimu had taken it.
Ushers confirmed that Wairimu had left in a hurry with the handbag, and security officers arrested her, but the cash and mobile phone were not recovered.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Heston Nyaga, Wairimu denied the charges and pleaded for lenient bond terms, claiming the allegations were the work of the devil.
She was released on Sh15,000 bail pending a hearing on November 26.
