Betika Head of Technology Fred Gitonga Charged With Stealing Sh11 Million

CAPTION: Betika Head of Technology Fred Gitonga A senior staff member of popular betting firm "Betika" was on Thursday charged with stealing over Sh11 million from his employer.

Appearing before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu, a gentleman identified as Mr Fred Gitonga Njagi (and others not before the court) were accused of having gained possession of the money by virtue of their employment at the company.

According to trial documents, Mr Gitonga, who is the Head of Technology at the firm, is alleged to have committed the offence on diverse dates between January 13 and February 3, 2022.

The court ordered him to post a bond of 5,000,000 or alternative cash bail of Sh2 million to secure his release.

The accused had earlier asked the court to defer plea taking for seven days but the Magistrate directed that the issues had been raised before another court and that taking plea would not prevent the accused from seeking redress elsewhere.

Betika is a sports betting platform with main operations in Nairobi.

The platform is licensed and regulated by the BCLB (Betting Control and Licensing Board)

From available records, Betika is owned by Shop and Deliver Limited - which is a company with Kenyan shareholders.