This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
On June 19, 2020, a court in Embu, Kenya, heard a case of land scam involving a man who allegedly swindled a land buyer of Sh5 million.
Duncan Wachira, the suspect, was charged with defrauding Jatin Sumariya of the money between January 20, 2018, and March 12, 2019. According to the court, Wachira and his accomplice pretended to be the land owner and sold Sumariya a plot, which they knew to be untrue.
Wachira denied the offence and applied to be released on bond so that he could attend court from home. The prosecution did not object to his application but requested that his case be joined with another where a suspect has been charged with the same offence.
The magistrate released Wachira on Sh500,000 bond and surety of a similar amount. However, Wachira did not manage to get the bond on the spot and was locked at the Embu GK Prison. The case continues on July 15 when it is expected to be consolidated with that of Wachira's accomplice.
