Mathe Wa Ngara Arrested, Who is Mathe Wa Ngara? Why Was Mathe Wa Ngara Arrested?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Aug 21, 2023
Mathe Wa Ngara Arrested
In our conversation with the 54-year-old mother of three, new details emerged surrounding a phone call she received from Nancy Kigunzo, a figure long suspected by the police to be the actual mastermind behind the 'Mathe wa Ngara' drug operation. Interestingly, this call was facilitated by a police officer stationed at the precinct.
In the course of the call, Teresia recounted her encounter with officers from the DCI's headquarters to Nancy. Surprisingly, Kigunzo extended an apology to Teresia for her ordeal and proposed a meeting in court. Caught off guard by the call, Teresia noted Nancy's composed demeanor and apparent lack of concern during their conversation.
Amidst these developments, the family's concerns for their mother's well-being remain paramount as she continues to be held in custody. The unfolding narrative leaves many questions unanswered.
In the wake of these events, the police have initiated a search for Nancy Kigunzo, a figure previously identified by the NIS as a notorious drug dealer back in 2018. A simmering conflict between the intelligence agency and the DCI revolves around allegations of their involvement in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking.
Kigunzo is rumored to have compromised officers across various police stations in Nairobi and managed to elude capture until June 2022, when she was eventually apprehended. However, following discussions with the ODPP, she was released after paying a fine of Sh500,000.
On the upcoming Monday, Teresia is set to appear in court as the police persist in asserting that both substantial sums of money and bags of cannabis were indeed discovered in her possession.
Who is Mathe Wa Ngara?
Mathe Wa Ngara holds a notorious reputation as a prominent drug dealer within the Ngara neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya. Her notoriety stems from being at the helm of a sprawling drug trafficking network that inundates the city with marijuana and other illicit substances.
The tides of Mathe Wa Ngara's fate took a turn in June 2022, when she was apprehended and subsequently charged with drug trafficking. However, her time in custody was short-lived, as she secured her release on bail within a matter of days. Fast forward to August 2023, and history repeated itself with another arrest following a raid on her Ngara residence. This time, the authorities discovered significant caches of marijuana and a substantial amount of cash in her possession.
A figure of both infamy and fear within Ngara, Mathe Wa Ngara has cemented her reputation through a legacy of ruthlessness and a willingness to resort to violence for the safeguarding of her drug enterprise.
The detention of Mathe Wa Ngara is undoubtedly a severe blow to the drug trade operating within Ngara. Yet, the intricate web of drug trafficking is unlikely to be fully dismantled by her arrest alone. A multitude of other players are active within Ngara's drug ecosystem, and the vacuum left by her absence may be swiftly filled by another.
The saga surrounding Mathe Wa Ngara's case underscores the formidable challenges confronting Kenya in its unrelenting struggle against drug trafficking. This illicit trade casts a considerable shadow over the nation, one that the government grapples to fully control and curtail.
Why Was Mathe Wa Ngara Arrested?
On the 15th of August, 2023, a synchronized effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies culminated in the apprehension of four individuals suspected of marijuana trafficking within the Parklands area. The collaborative operation unfolded within the Kariowa slums of Ngara, orchestrated by a fusion of anti-crime units, including the Anti-Narcotics Unit, the Trans National Organised Crime Unit, and the Parklands Anti-Terror Police Unit.
In a strategic raid, the law enforcement personnel executed their operation with precision, yielding remarkable results. A substantial sum of Sh.12 million in cash was seized, and the haul included a cache of 26 bags of cannabis, 4 cartons of rolling materials, 173 packaged sweets, and a carton containing cookies allegedly infused with cannabis.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), the announcement of the arrest was disseminated through the X app, revealing that a meticulous search had unveiled the presence of concealed money within two gunny bags.
The suspects in custody have been identified as Teresa Wanjiru, Eugene Jumba, Hillary Jumbo, and Sheila Withers. Their court appearance is scheduled for today. Among the apprehended individuals, Teresa Wanjiru is 54 years old, while her co-accused are juveniles aged between 16 and 17 years old.
Conversations surrounding the incident have unfolded on the X app, drawing active participation from users, particularly Kenyan individuals on the Twitter platform. The discussions have delved into speculations about whether Teresa Wanjiru could potentially be the enigmatic figure known as ‘Mathe wa Ngara,’ infamous for her association with the sale of cannabis within the Ngara vicinity.
What is The News About Mathe Wa Ngara Moving To Court And Seeking To Stop Arrest?
A businesswoman with alleged connections to drug trafficking and possession has taken legal action to prevent her imminent arrest. Nancy Kigunzu, also known as “Mathe Wa Ngara” due to alleged involvement in drug deals, claims that investigative agencies are unfairly targeting her for arrest and trumped-up charges.
In court documents presented at the Milimani Law Courts, Nancy asserts that she is being made a “scapegoat” in this situation. She maintains that she is a law-abiding citizen and is puzzled by the police's pursuit of her.
She states, "I have never committed any crime in Kenya nor have I been involved in any criminal activity in Kenya neither personally nor jointly with others, and I, therefore, do not understand why the police are looking to arrest me," as detailed in her court submissions.
Through her legal representative, Advocate Shanice Maingi, Mathe Wa Ngara has requested that the court issue orders prevent her arrest and charging without a proper investigation and without being given the opportunity to present her side. She also seeks anticipatory bail.
Nancy further accuses the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Inspector General of Police of misusing their positions to unlawfully detain her two minor sons, aged 16 and 17, for five days without valid cause.
She believes that her sons' arrests are intended to intimidate her and pave the way for her own arrest without due process. According to the legal documents, Nancy learned about the arrests in Ngara through the media.
"A few days later it was reported in the media that one of those arrests was of a wrong person, code-named ‘Mather wa Ngara’," she states. Her sons, among those arrested, remain in custody at Pangani Police Station. They, along with two others, were due to appear in court on Monday, August 21.
'Kwa Mathe wa Ngara' is a recognizable location with an online presence, setting it apart from numerous other spots named 'Kwa Mathe', particularly in informal settlements. The Ngara 'Mathe' appears to wield significant influence and control over a larger portion of the population.
Five years ago, K24 delved into the sprawling 'Kwa Mathe' slums, revealing activities involving the rolling of marijuana blunts. The report highlighted that even young school-going boys were allegedly clients of drug activities. To those involved in narcotics, Nancy is perceived as a compassionate and understanding figure who is attuned to their struggles.
Mathe Wa Ngara Arrested - FAQs
Mathe Wa Ngara, also known as Nancy Kigunzu, is a woman who has been linked to drug trafficking and possession in Ngara, a neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya.
Mathe Wa Ngara was arrested on August 15, 2023, during an operation in Kariowa slums, Ngara, by various anti-crime units and law enforcement agencies.
Mathe Wa Ngara faced charges related to drug trafficking and possession. Law enforcement officials discovered large quantities of marijuana, cash, and other related materials during the raid.
Mathe Wa Ngara moved to court to prevent her imminent arrest, alleging that investigative agencies were unfairly targeting her for arrest on trumped-up charges.
Mathe Wa Ngara filed documents in the Milimani Law Courts, asserting that she is a law-abiding citizen and does not understand why the police are pursuing her. She sought orders to prevent her arrest and charging without a proper investigation.