Rish Kamunge: State says Kenyans made citizen's arrest after seeng TikToker in public
A State prosecutor has revealed that members of the public made a citizen's arrest after finding TikToker Maria Wangari Kamunge alias Rish Kamunge at a city office.
This was revealed at the Milimani Law Courts where the social media personality, suspected of scamming Kenyans seeking overseas jobs, appeared on Thursday.
According to prosecuting counsel Hillary Isiako, Kenyans stormed an office building where Ms Kamunge was on March 26, 2025. They then apprehended her and handed her over to Central Police Station.
However, her lawyer Lewis Gicheha insists that she voluntarily surrendered to the police, contradicting police claims that she was arrested by an angry mob.
'Flight risk'
Maria Wangari Kamunge, a TikToker popularly known as Rish Kamunge, in court on March 27, 2025.
But amidst the contradicting details on the circumstances of her arrest, Ms Kamunge is seeking to be released on bond, a move the State has opposed on grounds that she's a flight risk.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga, through prosecuting counsel Hillary Isiako, argued that she should remain behind bars for seven days to enable detectives record statements from complainants who allege they were fleeced between Sh200,000 and Sh300,000.
“Ms Kamunge fled the country for two months after receiving the money from the unsuspecting job seekers,” Mr Isiako stated.
The victims allege they were instructed to send money via M-Pesa to a number registered under Ms Kamunge’s name. The magistrate was told that police are seeking to get mobile money statements from Safaricom.
Ms Kamunge, Mr Isiako said, was operating an international job agency under the name Trustpin Verified Agent Limited.
However, the court was told, she failed to deliver on her promises after receiving the money and then became unreachable.
Since her arrest, police said, additional victims have come forward with similar complaints, prompting them to seek extended custody.
However, her lawyer opposed the request, arguing that there is no evidence that she is a flight risk.
“Ms Kamunge is a single mother of one and her incarceration will disenfranchise the rights of her daughter. I urge the court to consider the rights of the child and admit the suspect bond,” Mr Gicheha pleaded.
Chief magistrate Lucas Onyina ordered that the suspect be detained overnight at Capitol Hill Police Station, pending a decision on bond tomorrow (Friday, March 28).
“It is now 5.30pm, way after the working hours stipulated under law. You will be detained...until 9am when I will determine whether to allow the DPP's plea or release you on bond,” Mr Onyina said.
rmunguti@ke.nationmedia.com