‘Kwa Mathe’ raid: Inside controversial Ngara bhang bust
Known as ‘Mathe’ which is slang for “Mother” among those who claim to know her. However, among the authorities, she is described as a powerful individual who has become a nuisance to the law.
Teresia Wanjiku, as identified by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, was arrested on Tuesday. The arrest was related to her alleged possession of 26 bags of marijuana and approximately Sh13.4 million. Surprisingly, these were found in sacks.
So, who is Teresia and what lies in her background?
54-year-old Teresia was apprehended on Tuesday due to allegations of running a large-scale marijuana business from her house in the Kariowa slums in Ngara area of Nairobi.
Intriguingly, her true identity is uncertain. Another police report refers to her as Nancy Kigunzo.
This Tuesday arrest wasn’t her first brush with the law. In May 2022, she was arrested and presented at Kahawa Law Courts. Following payment of a fine amounting to Sh525,000, she was released.
The recent operation led authorities to her residence, where they discovered not only 26 bags of marijuana but also four cartons of rolling materials and 173 suspected marijuana-filled sweets. These were concealed within sacks labeled as “mathe.”
Astonishingly, stacks of money totaling Sh13.4 million were also uncovered alongside additional sacks containing more marijuana.
Investigations suggest that she distributes the marijuana, which is often sold to university students, sourced from regions such as Busia and Moyale.
This distribution network covers various areas including Nairobi, Machakos, Thika, Kiambu, and Mombasa.
Teresia Wanjiku’s background reveals her familial ties and ownership of residences in Nairobi and the Ruiru areas.
The multi-agency team involved in her arrest, which includes the National Police Service and the Anti-Narcotics Unit, has garnered praise from the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA).
NACADA is encouraging the public to provide any information regarding this case or any other instances of substance abuse.