TikToker Maria Wangare Kamunge, alias Rish Kamunge has been sued for running a job scam that targeted Kenyans seeking employment in Mauritius. According to the DCI, Kamunge received a total of KES12.9 million from 43 victims.

However, Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina granted her the bond of KES5 million despite the defence team having opposed her bond application, urging the court for seven more days to conclude investigations.

According to the Magistrate, the prosecution had failed to present compelling reasons for her continued detention. 

“The prosecution has not demonstrated that the suspect’s safety is at risk or provided evidence of multiple complainants filing grievances,” he noted. 

Kamunge is, however, expected to report to the investigating officer until the case is concluded.

In a statement on Friday, March 28, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said Kamunge, who is the Director of Trustpine Travel Agency, received a lump sum amount of money from trusting Kenyans for nonexistent job placements in Mauritius.

"Maria Wangare Kamunge, alias Rish Kamunge, the Director Trustpine Travel Agency, has been arraigned for her involvement in a job scam that targeted Kenyans seeking employment in Mauritius. Victims reported paying between Kes 200,000 and Kes 400,000 for job placements, only to discover that the promised opportunities were nonexistent,” read part of the DCI statement.

The police noted that multiple complaints were lodged against the Tiktoker between January 1 and March 20, 2025 but was apprehended on March 26, 2025 in an office building in Nairobi by members of the public, who then handed her over to Central Police Station.

The victims claimed they were instructed to send money via M-Pesa to a number registered under Kamunge’s name. When they failed to receive the promised jobs, they attempted to reach her, but she had reportedly gone into hiding.

The DCI also revealed that some individuals even travelled to Mauritius for the jobs but found themselves stranded at the airport without assistance and were ultimately deported back to Kenya.

Since her arrest, additional victims have come forward with similar complaints, prompting the DCI to seek extended custody.

The investigative agency further called on Kenyans who have been scammed by the TikToker to report the matter at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.

 “The Directorate of Criminal Investigations urges anyone who might have fallen victim to this job scam to come forward and report the matter at the Central Police Station in Nairobi,” DCI added.

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