The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives drawn from the Crime Research & Intelligence Unit have arrested a 29-year-old suspect personating former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and obtaining money from members of the public in an educational loan bluff.
In a statement on Thursday, January 11, the DCI said the suspect was arrested in Riokondo Ward, Kisii county.
“Newton Paul Kengere was arrested in Kisii's Riokindo Ward within Kenyenya sub-county, where the handset he has been using to send enticing messages to vulnerable targets and several simcards were also recovered,” read the statement in part.
According to the DCI Sonko had lodged a complaint at Capital Hill Police Station, where he reported several Facebook accounts that were being operated by the suspect, who purported to be working with the Sonko Rescue Team and coordinating an initiative to help needy parents with school fees challenges.
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The suspect authored messages requiring interested Kenyans to register with Sh1,000 for the advance loans which he said, would not accumulate any interests.
To secure a loan, "applicants" had to also send their ID numbers, full names, location, and state the purpose of the loan.
“However, after receiving the registration fees, Kengere would shift briskly from a persistent caller to the aphoristic, "Patience pays". That statement was all his targets would make of their Sh1,000,” DCI stated.
The suspect is currently being is custody awaiting his arraignment on Jan 19, 2023.
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