Westwick Institute Director Christine ‘Lewis’ Nyambura Muturi was on May 3 charged with fraud for falsefully promising overseas nursing jobs to applicants.
Standing before Senior Principal Magistrate Meresia Opondo at the Kiambu Law Courts, Ms. Christine faced eight charges for fraudulent acquisition of funds and offering nursing certificate courses through an unaccredited institution.
She was accused of acquiring Sh1,959,000 from seven individuals, persuading them to pay for a certified nursing assistant course at Westwick Institute Limited.
“In diverse dates between 20th January 2023 and 27th February 2024 in Gigiri area within Nairobi County, being the director of Westwick Institute Limited, [she] offered training in Certified Nurse Assistance without accreditation,” read one of the charges.
One of the charges outlined how Christine allegedly deceived Gina Nuta into paying Sh250,000 under the guise of providing nursing training and certification from Westwick Institute Limited.
“That between 24th March 2023 and 30th April 2023 in Gigiri area within Nairobi County jointly with others not before court by means fraudulent tricks induced Gina Nuta to pay a sum of Sh250,000 to account domiciled at Kenya Commercial Bank pretending that you were in a position to train and issue her with a certificate in Certified Nurse Assistance from Westwick Institute Limited which is not accredited by Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority,
The charge sheet read in part.
In another instance, Christine allegedly obtained Sh428,500 from Sally Wanjiru between January 20, 2023, and July 28, 2023, after promising Wanjiru training and a certificate in nursing from Westwick.
The police informed the court that they received numerous fraud complaints against the UN Avenue-based institution. Misled students were drawn in by enticing social media ads, particularly promises of overseas jobs that never materialized. The college’s claims of facilitating employment abroad and providing accommodations also raised significant doubts.
However, Christine, who is married to Bumula MP Jack Wamboka, plead not guilty.
The defense sought lenient bond terms, while prosecutors proposed conditions including surrendering her Kenyan passport and refraining from interfering with witnesses.
Later, medical documents were presented claiming Muturi was unwell. The court ordered an investigation into their validity, with a report due on May 7.
In response, the defense sought an appeal and requested a new bond application. The court directed that Christine be taken to Nairobi Hospital for treatment, with a hearing scheduled for May 7.
Edgar Obare Legal Dispute
Notably, Christine Lewis has been embroiled in a legal dispute with blogger Edgar Obare, whom she sued for defamation after he exposed Lewis’ scam through her Westwick Institution.
Christine Lewis’ mentee, Yvonne Mugure, offered a reward of Sh100,000 for information leading to Edgar Obare’s whereabouts. However, no one has claimed this reward. Mugure also confidently stated that they had already won the defamation case.
Despite this, Mugure has yet to comment on the latest legal challenges faced by her “billionaire mentor.”
By Vivian K.