𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗬 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗨𝗗 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗢 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗚𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡 𝗠𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜-𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡-𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗠

Three suspected fraudsters have been arraigned before the Kilifi Chief Magistrate's Court over an elaborate multi-million-shilling scam that allegedly saw unsuspecting suppliers duped into delivering goods worth millions of shillings without payment across Kilifi and Laikipia counties.

The suspects, identified as Naftali Kimani Chege alias Ignatius Njenga, Kenneth Thuo Karanja alias Bosco Mbugua Ng'ang'a, and Michael Munene, are accused of impersonating officials of the Programme Against Malnutrition (PAM). Under this guise, they allegedly lured unsuspecting suppliers into fraudulent procurement arrangements, obtained goods, and disappeared without paying for them.

In Kilifi County alone, the suspects allegedly swindled six suppliers out of goods valued at Sh14,952,990. The goods included cooking oil, rice, sanitary towels, bar soap and milk, all allegedly obtained through false promises and fraudulent assurances of payment.

Investigations gathered momentum following coordinated raids by detectives at offices rented by the suspects in the Rojo area of Kilifi County and in Nanyuki Town, Laikipia County. 

During the operation, detectives recovered invoices, receipts, procurement records, SIM cards, supplier registration documents, and banners bearing the name Programme Against Malnutrition (PAM). All the recovered items have been seized as exhibits to support the ongoing investigations.

Following their arrest in Nanyuki Town, the suspects were escorted to DCI Kilifi and arraigned before the Kilifi Law Courts. The court granted detectives 21 days to detain the suspects as investigations continue.
 
Detectives are also pursuing additional leads aimed at recovering the fraudulently obtained goods and identifying other suspects believed to have played a role in the scheme.

Members of the public who may have fallen victim to the suspects or who possess information that could assist the investigations are urged to report to the nearest police station or anonymously through Fichua Kwa DCI via the toll-free number 0800 722 203 or WhatsApp 0709 570 000.