A woman accused of preparing to commit a felony has pleaded not guilty before a Nairobi court as the prosecution opposed her release on bail, describing her as a flight risk and a serial offender.
Lavender Akinyi Ogilo was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Irene Thamara at the Milimani Law Courts on June 2, 2026, and denied a charge of preparation to commit a felony contrary to Section 308(1) of the Penal Code.
According to the charge sheet, Ogilo was allegedly arrested on May 31, 2026, along 1st Parklands Avenue in Westlands, Nairobi, while in the company of others not before court.
The prosecution alleges that she was found armed with housebreaking implements, including claw bars, assorted screwdrivers and a Y-spanner, in circumstances indicating an intention to break into a building and commit a felony.
In opposing bail, the investigating officer told the court that several complaints had been reported against the accused at various police stations, including Kilimani, Gigiri, Parklands and Spring Valley.
The officer said the reports relate to offences under investigation, among them burglary, stealing and breaking into premises.
The prosecution further argued that the accused fled the scene after the alleged attempted offence and signalled her accomplices before going into hiding.
The court also heard that the suspect was traced in Tanzania and later allegedly fled to Uganda after learning that police were pursuing her.
According to the investigating officer, releasing Ogilo on bail could jeopardise ongoing investigations and efforts to recover stolen property believed to be connected to the reported offences.
The prosecution maintained that the recovery process is still underway and argued that her release could interfere with the exercise.
The officer further told the court that the accused has no known fixed place of abode and is therefore likely to abscond if granted bail.
The prosecution urged the court to keep her in custody pending the conclusion of investigations and recovery of the alleged stolen items.
Magistrate Thamara is expected to deliver a ruling on the bail application on June 3, 2026.
