This archive report was first published on 9 June 2020.
On diverse dates between May 2011 and May 2012, two businessmen allegedly committed a Sh2.5 million land scam in Thika, Kenya.
Joseph Gikonyo Thuo and Morris Mbuchu Gikonyo, who appeared before Milimani Senior Resident Magistrate David Ndungi, denied the charges of conspiracy to defraud.
According to the court, the two businessmen placed an advertisement claiming to be selling a three-acre parcel of land on behalf of Thuo Inv. Co. Ltd. at Countryside Coffee Gardens in Thika.
They allegedly obtained Sh2.25 million from Mary Waithera and Jane Wairimu Njogu by falsely pretending to sell them the land.
Thuo and Gikonyo are also facing charges of making false allotment letters for the said piece of land and obtaining Sh750,000 from Anthony Munyiri Kihara by falsely pretending to sell him one acre of the land.
Thuo is further charged with making more fake allotment letters for the said property and purporting them to be genuine and signed by two directors of Thuo Inv. Co. Ltd.
The two businessmen were released on a cash bail of Sh50,000 each.
