How Impersonators Posing as President Uhuru Conned Nairobi Businessman of Sh80 Million

Seven suspects arrested over the weekend for reportedly impersonating a senior government official conned a Nairobi businessman of Sh80 million, police say.

Police say the suspects posed as President Kenyatta and promised to award the businessman government tenders worth millions of shillings.

The seven were arrested on Saturday in Nairobi by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Detectives believe the suspects are part of a cartel that defrauded officials from Sameer Group of Companies.

They are said to be well organized and have mastered the art of mimicking President Uhuru's voice to near perfection.

Investigators say the conmen also masquerade as senior State House officials.

They reportedly call businessmen interested in doing business with the government, where the caller imitates Uhuru and even speaks in a voice similar to that of the President.

They inform them of available lucrative government contracts and ask them to take up by giving some cash for logistical support.

Once they agree, he (President Uhuru's impersonator) promises to send some State House operatives or Ministry officials to collect the facilitation money.

The ‘State House officers’ arrive dressed in expensive suits, high-end car and under police escort. They then collect the millions and disappear.

The Star reports that the con scheme was exposed after officials from Sameer allegedly wrote to State House seeking to meet President Kenyatta over the 'tender' awarded to them.

The seven suspects are identified as Joseph Waswa, Duncan Muchai, Isaac Wanyonyi, William Simiyu, David Luganya, Gilbert Kirunja, and Antony Wafula.

During their arrest, police recovered four vehicles including a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, Toyota Mark X, and Toyota Axio that they were reportedly using to run their activities.

They will be arraigned in court on Monday to face charges of obtaining money by false pretense among other counts.