A government official has warned members of the public of police imposters extorting money in the false pretence of providing them with firearms.
Laikipia County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha revealed that a group of fraudsters claimed to be government officials from “the committee that issues civilian guns’.
He further disclosed that the criminals had been asking for Kshs10,000 from residents for them to acquire private firearms.
“These imposters claim to be county commissioners and police commanders but they are not revealing their identities.
“Some claim Director of Criminal Investigation George Kinoti is also ‘in that committee’ and extends the offer to their targets’ friends,” stated the commissioner.
Kyatha also revealed that the fraudsters had targeted officials, from both the stated and county, and other business people who did not know the legitimate process of acquiring the weapon.
He confirmed that more than four cases had been reported so far from Laikipia.
“Personally, I cannot authorise the issuance of any gun, identification and recommendations of individuals to own firearms are done from the grassroots level,” he continued.
He, however, noted that police were investigating the fraudster ring after mobile phone numbers they use were forwarded to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
He divulged that the ring targeted established business people from Laikipia County owing to the region’s conflicts arising from cattle rustling and private ranch invasions.
