Kenyan Immigrant Convicted of $1.5 Million Tax Fraud Scheme, Sentenced to 3 Years in US Prison

A former tax preparer and community leader in Kansas faces a three-year prison sentence for orchestrating a substantial tax fraud scheme that cost the US government $1.5 million (approximately Sh193.5 million).

Hophine Bwosinde, a Kenyan immigrant from Nyamira County, has pleaded guilty to preparing and filing fraudulent tax returns. This adds to a concerning pattern of financial crimes that has impacted the reputation of the Kenyan diaspora community in America. Through his company, Amboseli Professional Services, Bwosinde exploited the tax system between 2018 and 2022 by manipulating business expenses and fabricating losses for his clients.

The scheme involved creating fictitious business records and reporting negative income, resulting in unauthorized tax refunds and reduced tax obligations for his clients. Kate E. Brubacher, US Attorney for the District of Kansas, confirmed Bwosinde's guilty plea in a statement to Kansas City media outlets. Before his legal troubles, Bwosinde had established himself as a prominent figure in the Kansas Kenyan community.

As the former president of the Organization of Kenyans in Kansas City, he was known for helping newly arrived Kenyan immigrants acclimate to life in the Midwest, particularly in Kansas and Missouri. His involvement extended to small business ownership in upscale Lenexa City, and he even pursued political aspirations, running unsuccessfully as a Democratic candidate for the Lenexa City Council. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is renowned for its rigorous enforcement of tax laws, making Bwosinde's scheme particularly brazen.

The consequences of Bwosinde's actions will be severe. Following his three-year prison term, he will face supervised release and be required to pay full restitution for the government's losses. His sentencing is scheduled for February 18 of the following year, where he may also face additional monetary penalties.