Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, 18 December, arrested a suspected criminal fraudster.
The suspect, who is reported to have strong connections within Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), was apprehended at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The arrest was made on the evening of Tuesday, 17 December, after detectives set a trap to capture the individual.
The suspect, a male Kenyan citizen, is alleged to have been involved in a fraudulent scheme amounting to Ksh33.8 million and was attempting to evade arrest.
In an operation carried out by the Operation Support Unit, detectives launched a manhunt for the suspect after learning that he had gone into hiding.
"Getting wind that the sleuths were hot on his trail, the ringleader, who is no stranger to police cells, plotted an escape plan. This was foiled this afternoon when he was arrested at JKIA and is now cooling his heels behind strong bars," the DCI stated in a statement.
"A serial fraudster linked to the Woman and Youth Against AIDS and Poverty (WAYAAP) NGO, who has been on the police radar for involvement in multiple frauds against business enterprises, has today been arrested while attempting to flee the country," it added.
According to the DCI, the suspect has been exploiting his well-connected position in the NGO sector to scam unsuspecting members of the public by promising to deliver tenders.
"Being a key official in the NGO, which poses as a charity organisation aimed at supporting the vulnerable in society, the suspect has been using his office to reach out to individuals and entities with enticing tender offers, only to disappear with the deliveries once the supplies are received," the statement added.
Additionally, detectives revealed that the suspect came onto their radar after he used an accomplice at the WAYAAP offices to defraud three suppliers of goods worth Ksh32.8 million.
"In one classic case that exposed him, he and an accomplice (also an official at WAYAAP) conspired to defraud three suppliers of goods worth over Ksh32.8 million, goods they claimed were being procured for distribution as aid to vulnerable persons," the DCI stated.
"After the delivery was made, the NGO officials instead offered the goods for sale in the local market, then became elusive. Attempts by the companies to recover their goods or funds were met with intimidation and frustration, prompting them to report the matter to DCI Headquarters," it added.
The suspect is set to be arraigned today at the Milimani Law Courts. Members of the public or business entities who may have fallen victim have been urged to contact DCI Headquarters for assistance.
