This archive report was first published on 26 October 2021.
On October 26, 2021, a bizarre tale of justice system exploitation came to light in Nakuru. Victor Kiprono Ng'eno, a man who impersonated a magistrate and ran his own 'court' for years, is now facing charges for his crimes.
Ng'eno took advantage of complex court procedures and naive Kenyans who sought quick justice or shortcuts in the legal process. He posed as a magistrate and a brother of Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter, conning many who wanted an easy way out of their legal woes.
Despite facing several charges, Ng'eno continued to operate his 'court' and even had fake clearance certificates from the Law Society of Kenya and the Judicial Service Commission. Police are in possession of photographs he took in judicial robes at the Supreme Court.
Ng'eno was arrested in July after allegedly reporting a robbery at Mogosiek police station in Bomet. He claimed to have been robbed of Sh500,000 by a police officer and a woman, but police cleared the woman and instead arrested Ng'eno.
He is now facing charges ranging from impersonation to making fake documents. At least four cases are pending before courts in Nakuru, Bomet, Kericho, and Nairobi.
One of the cases involves defrauding Carolyne Chekorir of Sh930,000 in April 2021, while pretending to be in a position to help her secure a job at the judiciary. In another case, Ng'eno was charged with two counts of making fake IDs and impersonating a magistrate at Kilimani area in August 2021.
Police said Ng'eno had hired an SUV from Kenneth Okoth for 10 days and paid Sh110,000, but disappeared and switched off his phone. The vehicle was tracked to a village in Sotik, Bomet.
Ng'eno is known for absconding court dates but has always convinced magistrates to keep his bond terms. In Bomet, his cash bail was forfeited on April 9, and an arrest warrant was issued after he failed to attend court.
He is also alleged to have swindled Samuel Soi of Sh1.6 million while purporting to be in a position to help his two children secure employment. Ng'eno tricked Soi into giving him Sh1 million to help his children secure jobs at Kenya Pipeline company.
