Rev. Richard Macharia Njuguna, a priest with the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA), has been arrested for swindling an Ethiopian refugee out of Sh3 million while posing as an Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) officer.
The arrest has raised fresh concerns about rising fraud cases in Kenya involving fake government agents and forged documents. Njuguna, who serves at the AIPCA Juja Farm Parish under the Thika South Diocese, allegedly tricked his victim into believing he could fast-track Kenyan citizenship papers.
The 57-year-old clergyman was nabbed on Tuesday at Overstone Hotel in Ruiru, near the Eastern Bypass, in a covert operation led by Nairobi’s ATPU detectives.
The case, initially reported at Capitol Hill Police Station, was transferred to the elite unit to its sensitive nature. What followed was a chilling unraveling of a priest-turned-conman with access to forged stamps from key government offices.
AIPCA Priest Accused of Impersonating ATPU Officer and Duping Refugee
Detectives revealed that Rev. Njuguna’s fraudulent activity began in late December 2024. Between December 20 and February 12, 2025, he convinced an Ethiopian refugee—whose name is being withheld for security reasons—that he had connections in the Directorate of Immigration Services.
Masquerading as an officer with the ATPU, Njuguna reportedly promised to help the refugee gain Kenyan citizenship—a highly sought status among foreigners in the region. The catch? A hefty “processing fee” amounting to over Sh3 million.
The priest demanded several staggered payments from his victim, who trusted him due to the supposed government ties and official demeanor. By the time the truth surfaced, Rev. Njuguna had collected a total of Sh3,030,500.
Following the complaint, detectives trailed and arrested him without incident. They then conducted a search of his Kahawa West residence and his vehicle.
What they found shocked even seasoned investigators. Police recovered several forged documents and stamps bearing the identities of critical state offices. These included fake seals from:
- The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Nairobi
- Kenya Immigration Office at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA)
- Immigration Control Office in Busia
- Kenya’s Embassy in Somalia
- Ministry of Lands Headquarters
The discovery points to a deeper web of fraud possibly involving other unsuspecting victims and government impersonation rings.
More Victims Likely in Widening Immigration Scam
Detectives believe Rev. Njuguna may not have acted alone—or stopped with just one victim. Police say that the ongoing investigation will focus on uncovering other potential cases linked to the priest, whose double life as a religious leader and conman has stunned the Thika community.
“His activities may stretch beyond this single complaint,” a senior ATPU officer told reporters. “We suspect more refugees and foreigners seeking citizenship might have fallen for similar scams.”
The priest’s vehicle and all recovered items have been seized and will be used as exhibits. The case is now under the spotlight, with national police authorities vowing to intensify crackdowns on fraudsters exploiting Kenya’s immigration systems.
This case also highlights a worrying trend—criminals impersonating ATPU, immigration, or other security officers to scam desperate victims. The ATPU and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have repeatedly warned the public to verify credentials and avoid middlemen in official processes.
Church Silence Raises Questions Amid Priest’s Criminal Charges
Back in Juja Farm, the AIPCA leadership has remained quiet. No official statement has been released regarding Njuguna’s arrest or whether he has been suspended from his clerical duties.
Worshippers at his parish expressed shock and disbelief. Many refused to speak to the press, but a few admitted that the priest had been acting strangely in recent months.
“He had started disappearing a lot, saying he was traveling for church missions,” said a congregant who requested anonymity. “We didn’t know what he was really doing.”
Some are now calling on the AIPCA leadership to speak out and cooperate fully with authorities. Others fear the scandal will damage the church’s reputation if not handled transparently.
Meanwhile, the refugee at the center of the case is reportedly receiving legal and psychological support. Officials say the fraud ordeal left him deeply shaken.
With investigations ongoing, Kenyans are being reminded to stay alert and report suspicious individuals claiming to have government connections.
