Rene Coleman, a 50-year-old employee, has been accused of retaining funds mistakenly credited to her account after a company payroll error resulted in an excess payment equivalent to about KSh 2.5 million.
According to court documents, the issue began when she worked a regular shift in May 2025, earning an hourly wage far lower than what was later reflected in her pay.
Due to a system glitch, her salary was processed at an inflated rate, causing her earnings for a single shift to be calculated at a figure far beyond her normal pay.
The company later identified the discrepancy during internal reviews and flagged the overpayment months after the transaction had gone through.
Management reportedly contacted her to recover the money, but the request was not successful. Investigators say she did not comply with efforts to arrange repayment or attend a scheduled meeting with law enforcement when the matter was escalated.
The case was later presented in court, where a judge determined there was sufficient basis to proceed with a felony theft charge involving property valued within the disputed range.
Authorities argue that the funds were not lawfully earned and should have been returned once the error was identified.
Coleman was subsequently taken into custody by local police before being released on bond set at approximately $15,000. She is expected to appear in court for arraignment in May 2026, where the case will continue.
The incident has drawn attention due to its unusual nature, highlighting how payroll errors can escalate when large sums are involved and recovery attempts fail.
What began as an administrative mistake has now developed into a legal matter that will be decided in court.
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