A preacher associated with a Nairobi-based church has been arrested after he was accused of posing as a police officer and duping an Ethiopian refugee of Ksh3 million, pretending he could help him gain Kenyan citizenship.
The preacher, a reverend linked to the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA), was apprehended by detectives from the Nairobi Anti-terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), according to a statement by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Wednesday, June 11.
"Nairobi Anti-terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) detectives have apprehended a fraudster who posed as one of their own, swindling an unsuspecting Ethiopian refugee based in Nairobi over Ksh3 million under the pretence that he could assist him in acquiring Kenyan citizenship," part of the statement read.
DCI revealed that between December 20, 2024, and February 12, 2025, the reverend posed as an ATPU officer posted at the Directorate of Immigration Services.
"He thereafter duped the Ethiopian refugee into believing he could facilitate the acquisition of Kenyan citizenship, fraudulently obtaining a total of Sh3,030,500 in the process," the statement said.
A complaint was subsequently lodged at the Capitol Hill Police Station in Nairobi, kicking off investigations by the ATPU.
The preacher's arrest was later made at a Hotel in Ruiru along the Eastern Bypass, after which the police officers searched his residence in Kahawa West and his vehicle.
Several incriminating items, including a variety of documents and wooden stamps allegedly belonging to several institutions, such as the Chief Magistrate in Nairobi and the Kenya Immigration Officer at JKIA, were found.
Other fake stamps found were for Immigration Control in Busia, the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Somalia, and the Ministry of Lands Head Office, among others.
The items were seized to be used as exhibits in the case where he is facing charges of impersonating a police officer and obtaining money by false pretences.
The man of God is currently in custody, where he is undergoing processing pending his arraignment.
The case adds to a growing number of fraud cases ensnaring refugees and other foreign nationals into paying millions of shillings that they lose in various schemes.
