Editor's Review

After Felesta received a total of Ksh102,654,924 from Belgian Marc De Mesel, her friend Tebby received Ksh102.8 million four days alter.

Belgian billionaire who wired over Ksh100 million to a Kenyan girlfriend's account as a gift also sent almost a similar amount to the lover's friend, it has emerged.

The Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) has established after Felesta Nyamathira Njoroge received a total of Ksh102,654,924 from the foreigner Marc De Mesel in four transactions between August 4 to 6, her friend Tebby Wambuku Kago received Ksh102.8 million at his Equity Bank account on August 10 in one transaction from the same Belgian.

Of the amount deposited in Kago's account, Ksh31.5 was withdrawn between September and October.

But early November, another Ksh37 milion was deposited in Kago's second account in the same bank capturing the attention of ARA.

ARA lawyer Mohamed Ado raised concerns over the transactions and filed a case to freeze the accounts pending investigations.

"The two are beneficiaries of dirty money from foreign jurisdiction whose source has no legitimate explanation," Ado said.

Kago's account has suffered a similar fate to that of Felesta which was freezed for three months to allow for investigations.

Justice Esther Maina barred Kago from carrying any transactions in his two accounts untill the matter before it is heard and determined.

"She is stopped from withdrawing, transferring or dealing in any manner with Ksh71.3 million and Ksh37 million held in two accounts at Equity Bank registered in the name of Tebby Wambuku Kago," Justice Maina ruled.

The 21-year-old Felesta, a student at Nairobi Technical Training Institute, got the attention of Kenyans after his story went viral.

But even as the ARA officers are alleging the funds are proceeds of a money-laundering scheme, the Belgian boyfriend is on record saying the monies were deposited as gifts.

In the account that was just opened early August, Felesta became an instant millionaire following huge deposits that characterised four transactions within three days.

On August 4,  the Belgian deposited 25,803,756 to Felesta's account 02100705531800 held at a co-operative account.

The following day he deposited Sh26,028,156 to the same account before making two deposits of Ksh25,242,756 and Ksh25,579,356 on August 6.