Detectives in Garissa County have apprehended a public officer carrying several important government assets suspected of being linked to fraudulent activities.
The suspect was intercepted by detectives on the Garissa-Lamu road following a tip-off.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), a preliminary search of the Toyota Prado, which the suspect was travelling in, led to the discovery of several items, including three rounds of 9mm Colt ammunition.
The suspect was also in possession of six personal cheques each worth Ksh500,000; KDF (Kenya Defence Forces) Captain badges; and four mobile phones of different makes.
Since the items were highly suspicious, detectives proceeded to the suspect’s residence for a follow-up search, which led to the discovery of more worrisome materials in the suspect’s possession.
“With his brother present, they conducted a thorough search that uncovered even more alarming items: five live rounds of 7.62 X 51 ammunition, thirty blank title deeds, a lease certificate, and a variety of other land-related documents,” DCI revealed in a statement.
Additional searches in the suspect’s residences in Thika and Ruiru uncovered what was likely a well-coordinated scam scheme, as an original title deed for land in Kajiado and an application for consent from the Lands Control Board in Kajiado were discovered.
All these documents, according to the DCI, are likely to have been used by the suspect in facilitating fraudulent land transfers.
If found guilty, the suspect faces several charges, with one of the primary ones involving unlawful possession of government property since section 132 of the Penal Code states that it is a criminal offence to possess government property without legal authority.
In this situation, possessing a KDF badge and other official government items is illegal.
The suspect could also face charges under the Land Registration Act and Land Act for using forged land documents like blank title deeds and lease certificates.
Moreover, if it’s proven that the suspect is not a licensed firearm holder, having firearms and ammunition will constitute a straightforward legal violation.
