Catching crooks nets an income for detective

Ms Jane Mugo. Photo/ANNIEL NJOKA

Barely three years ago when Jane Mugo got involved in the male-dominated business of private investigation, the future of the market seemed bleak and unprofitable, but things have now changed for her.

She says that for a long time few people understood the benefits of hiring investigators but today, the trend has completely changed with the numbers in need of such services increasing on a daily basis.

Her booming business is clear proof of this, she says. She adds that people have discovered that by hiring a private investigator, one is assured of a speedy outcome of answers or solutions.

When the businesswoman now in her 30s started Thrimo Security Company, she knew there was demand but could not anticipate the tremendous tasks and responsibilities that lay ahead.

Sentiments

She has faced many security challenges and negative sentiments from many quarters.

In her private firm, which undertakes all sorts of investigations, Ms Mugo has been able to investigate on matters involving corruption within non-governmental organisations, companies, politicians and individuals.

Some of her clients have included Kenya Revenue Authority, Solutions, Bhachu and Fair investments.

During her job, she investigates and cooperates with police to arrest suspects and makes sure they are tried in a court of law.

“Yes, police might be willing to act but due to the overwhelming nature of crime in Kenya, it makes them unable to do so adequately,”  she says.

The investigator cites this as among the reasons that encouraged her to join the business.

She says that with the great insecurity witnessed in most parts of the country and the challenges met by police whose ratio to the crime rate is inadequate, she saw the need for detectives to fill the void.

Most of her civil cases centre mainly on spouses, especially where trust is lost to find out why, and particularly those engaging in love affairs outside marriage.

For crime, her cases include those on theft and fraud.

She also works for various advocates, helping them to build their evidence before court proceedings.

“I have dreamed of this job ever since I was a young girl. This is because I realised there was a lack of sufficient evidence in most cases that needed thorough investigation before action was taken,” she says.

And how about her security considering that she is a woman?

She takes extra risks to suit her client’s expectations including working undercover, she says.

As a price to pay for her job, Ms Mugo has been thrown into police cells severally for being mistaken for a criminal while investigating sensitive cases.

But besides the difficulties associated with the job, and the fact that it has been a male preserve, she has often had to withstand negative attitudes from the community for being one of the few female investigators in the country.

“Some people seem to think that private investigators are hired to tarnish people’s names. We are not and will not. That is not our business. Our concern is to repair the bad image of our generation and start living a life that will deter one from engaging in evil within the community,” she says.

Bent mind

“Sometimes clients can be disappointing because on giving me a job, they sometimes come with a bent mind on what to expect as the outcome, only to be disappointed when it turns the other way. Some go to the extent of asking me whether I sure what I have done is correct,” she says.

Because of what she does, many especially men, have distanced themselves from her friendship. But this does not deter her.

The mother of one son sees this as an advantage because she does not have to entangle herself with relationships, which would otherwise interfere with her very involving business.

Before starting her Thrimo Security company that also employs 28 security guards besides four other employees, she worked as a security officer then rose to chief investigator for Khaman Security Services, where her journey into a profession many consider risky and shrouded in secrecy developed.

Earlier, she worked as a saleswoman for a hardware store.

This unassuming businesswoman started her business with Sh120,00 and which is now worth Sh3 million.

In a good month, Thrimo security handles about 30 cases. She says the company usually handles about 10 criminal cases, 15 civil cases and five fraud cases.

Charges are on case by case basis, but prices range from between Sh50,000 to Sh500,000. She also charges a risk amount to ensure her safety.

To enhance her capability in crime, Ms Mugo is currently pursuing a degree in criminology at a local university.