Two mortuary attendants and one clerical officer from Mbagathi hospital in Nairobi County on Friday, February 14, 2025, denied charges of obtaining Ksh30,000 meant for clearing hospital bill of James Mbugua alias Joseph.

The mortuary attendants Elizabeth Aoga and Jackline Njagi and clerical officer Jackline Owino are said to have engaged in conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to section 393 of the penal Code by obtaining money from one Ann Mbugua meant to clear James Mbugua hospital bill.

“On December 5, 2024, at Mbagathi hospital within Nairobi county conspired together to commit a felony namely obtaining money from Ann Mbugua which was meant for clearing hospital bill of James Mbugua alias Joseph,” part of the charge sheet read.

According to the charge sheet, the three Mbagathi hospital employees are accused of also giving false information to Police Constable Jesse Ogalo, a person employed in the public service, contrary to section 129(a) of the Penal Code.

The three were said to have lied to the police officer that they had not released the body of James Mbugua from Mbagathi’s farewell home and instead gave him another body purporting to be his.

“On the 13th December 2024, at Mbagathi county hospital within Nairobi County, informed Police Constable Jesse Ogalo a person employed in the public service that you have not released the body of James Mbugua from Mbagathi farewell home and presented to him another body information you knew or believed it was false,” count two read.

In the final count, on December 5, 2024, the three are accused of demanding money with menace contrary to section 302 of the Penal Code.

The accused are said to have demanded Ksh30,000 from Ann Mbugua.

Defence lawyers argued that the accused have people depending on them and children to take care of and asked the court to release them on bond.

Senior Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi released the three on a Ksh200,000 bond or Ksh100,000 cash bail and provided a contact person.

The case will be mentioned on February 26, 2025.