Nairobi Court Makes Rare Ruling in Case Involving a Transgender Person

A Nairobi court has ordered a transgender accused person be remanded separately from other detainees.

Katie Antonina Wanjiku, aka Stephen Kamotho, told the court that she/he is transgender and her/his life would be in danger if remanded at Industrial Area Remand or Lang’ata Women's prison.

Milimani Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku on Friday directed the accused be held in a separate cell at Nairobi Central Police Station pending further directions.

The accused was charged with obtaining credit by false pretenses. The court heard that between December 16th last year and February 3rd this year, at Marble Arch Hotel Limited, the accused obtained a credit of Sh488,510 from the said hotel while pretending that she would pay Sh1 million to cater until March 31st this year, a fact she/he knew to be false.

The accused pleaded not guilty and was released on a cash bail of Sh200,000 but she/he told the court she cannot afford to pay the amount. 

Magistrate Mutuku ordered a probation report to see how the matter will be reviewed if the accused is unable to post bail. The case will be mentioned on February 16th.