Sugoi musician who impersonated Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to solicit funds from Kenyans pleaded guilty to the charges levelled before Milimani Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu on Wednesday, December 28.
While admitting wrongdoings, the musician apologised to the second in command for creating a Facebook page bearing his name and sharing his photos to hoodwink unsuspecting Kenyans.
The 22-year-old went ahead to request Gachagua to help him secure a job. Defending his sentiments before Milimani Law Courts Senior Principal Magistrate Esther Kimilu, he argued that employment opportunities would help him build his career in information technology.
"Your honour, I created the fake Facebook book account in the name of His Excellency Hon Rigathi Gachagua to look for views and likes for my songs whose links are available for viewing," he pleaded.
Arguing his case, the Sugoi-based upcoming artist told the court that financial constraints forced him to drop out of college.
The 22-year-old added that his family was not in a position to help him raise funds to bankroll his college education.
Upon reviewing the case, magistrate Kimilu fined him Ksh50,000, or seven months in jail for impersonation, contrary to section 382(I) of the Penal Code.
While delivering the verdict, the magistrate, who treated the musician as a first-time offender, warned the musician from impersonating other government officials.
The artiste was apprehended by detectives who tricked him with a musical performance concert in Uasin Gishu. The sleuths tracked his phone to a local pool table joint, where they convinced him with a lucrative performance gig.
He fell into the trap and was brought to Nairobi for questioning for creating a fake Facebook page to solicit funds from unsuspecting Kenyans.
"The benga artist based in Kamplemur village in Sugoi was arrested after he created a fake Facebook account bearing the Deputy President's name and obtained money from unsuspecting citizens, allegedly meant for feeding Kenyans grappling with hunger," DCI stated after apprehending him.
