Anerlisa Muigai's Deleted Post Addressing Leaked Text Pleading For Ksh3M To Bail Out Fiance

The saga began when Muigai's fiancé, Josiah Kariuki, CEO of Silica Booster Limited (SBL), was implicated in the distribution of fake fertilizer.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
May 8, 2024 - 13:42 Updated: May 8, 2024 - 15:06
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Anerlisa Muigai's Deleted Post Addressing Leaked Text Pleading For Ksh3M To Bail Out Fiance
Anerlisa Muigai posing for a photo inside a vehicle. /ANERLISA MUIGAI

Keroche Breweries heiress and the Chief Executive Officer of Nero Water Anerlisa Muigai on Wednesday, May 8 publicly responded to a leaked screenshot of a WhatsApp text where she pleaded for financial assistance to cover her fiancé’s bail costs, amidst a legal battle involving his company.

The saga began when Muigai's fiancé, Josiah Kariuki, CEO of Silica Booster Limited (SBL), was implicated in the distribution of fake fertilizer.

Kariuki was on Monday, May 6 charged at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court for the alleged manufacture, distribution and sale of substandard fertilizer.

He was charged with 7 counts, including conspiracy to defraud, forgery, uttering false documents, and applying a standardization mark to a commodity that does not comply with Kenyan standards and other laws.

Josiah Kariuki arraigned in court on May 2, 2024. /FILE

However, he pleaded not guilty to the charges and set free on a Ksh5 million bond. He was ordered by Milimani Anti-Corruption Magistrate, Celesa Okore, to deposit the bond to secure the release

According to the screenshot, the scenario worsened as the bail amount was increased unexpectedly, prompting Muigai to seek financial aid from close contacts through a private WhatsApp group, only for the message to be leaked on X by controversial blogger, Cyprian Nyakundi.

"Trust you have all been fine. As some of you know, my fiancée was targeted by his competitors on this whole fertiliser saga to try and finish his business. He has been locked in today because they had told him cash bail would be Ksh1 million, but they changed and said it's Ksh3 million. Thanks to some of his friends for raising to Ksh1.8 million," the message read in part.

"I was humbly requesting if you could chip in whatever you can get. You can send it to any of my numbers. All will be refunded once his accounts are unfrozen. This is not gossip, I genuinely need your help and nobody knows." 

Seemingly sensing betrayal by those she deemed her close friends, Muigai took to Instagram to express her disappointment.

"When you thought you had real friends then boom, a blogger sends you a screenshot from a very enclosed group. Tomorrow could be you.

"At least I know I cannot count on everyone and that's okay. And yes we managed to get out without your help. We are good. #GodFirst," her post seen by Viral Tea read, right after she deleted it at the time of publishing this story.

She then accompanied the post with a quote that read "Fake friends are like shadows: always near you at your brightest moments but nowhere to be seen at your darkest hour. True friends are like stars, you don't always see them but they are always there."

According to Muigai, the group in which she shared the text has only six members, making it easy to figure out who leaked the conversation.

Meanwhile, the fake fertiliser saga is currently seeing embattled Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi facing impeachment at the National Assembly. 

An eleven-member committee was formed by the National Assembly to probe the allegation level against Linturi by the mover of impeachment motion Bumula MP Jack Wamboka.

The hearing began on Wednesday and will run for three days after which the committee will retreat to write a report that will be submitted before the National Assembly on Monday, May 13.

Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi speaking during a fundraiser in aid of St. Theresa's Catholic parish in Imenti Central on April 28, 2024. /MITHIKA LINTURI