This archive report was first published on 20 September 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's name has been used to defraud the Akasha family, with a pastor being arrested and charged in connection with the crime.
According to the charge sheet, between October 9 and November 15, 2018, pastor Chris Ngweti met Najma Juma Hassan, wife to Bakhtash, and conspired with others to obtain Sh5.5 million from her through false pretence.
Najma had lost hope of securing the return of her husband to the country after failing to secure his extradition. She received a call from Kisauni DCIO, who advised her to record her statement, and investigations began.
Ngweti introduced Najma to Stephen Nzioka, who claimed to be well-connected and could help her meet President Kenyatta. He demanded Sh500,000 to facilitate a meeting with the President, which Najma paid.
Ngweti disappeared for several days, only to return with a letter from the Office of the President, dated October 19, 2018, purportedly signed by Kinuthia Mbugua, State House comptroller. He demanded more money, claiming it was needed to facilitate the final extradition letter signed by the President.
Ngweti was arrested and charged on Thursday, and was granted Sh1 million cash bail or a surety of Sh2 million.
On January 2017, the DCI orchestrated the extradition of the Akasha brothers to face trial in the US. In August 2019, Bakhtash Akasha was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty.
