A Magistrates Court in Othaya was on Monday told how a man allegedly impersonated a veterinary surgeon and secured a job at a local college using his fake identity.
Geoffrey Wanjala was accused by Othaya School of Livestock Breeding, Artificial Insemination and Dairy Management of applying for a lecturer's position with what seemed like 'excellent credentials'.
Dr Henry Kibunja from the institution disclosed that they invited him for an interview after he responded to an advertisement on the vacancy.
Wanjala reportedly presented himself as a Dr Donald Lubembe and sailed through the interview owing to his supposed qualifications and grasp of various veterinary-related topics.
He was offered a job as an animal health trainer on a 3-year contract subject to renewal based on performance.
[caption caption="A section of Othaya town"]
[/caption]
At the time, Kibunja explained, Wanjala failed to produce his National Identification card which he said was lost and he was in the process of replacing.
The institution, however, overlooked this as they urgently needed someone to fill the position.
It was a transaction on M-Pesa that eventually exposed Wanjala's true identity.
A month after being hired, the accused requested the school to send him Ksh300 while he was off-duty and the details of the transaction did not match what he presented.
The school contacted the Kenya Veterinary Board seeking to investigate further and this was when they realized that Wanjala had lifted Lubembe's profile online.
They called in the police who proceeded to arrest Wanjala.
He faces seven counts of impersonation, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence.
[caption caption="Cows in Othaya"]
[/caption]
