Kenyan Pastor Arrested in Nairobi for Defrauding Ethiopian Citizen of Ksh 3M

Detectives from the Nairobi Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) have arrested a man accused of impersonating a senior government official to defraud an Ethiopian refugee of over Ksh. 3 million. 

The suspect, identified as Reverend Richard Macharia Njuguna of the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA), allegedly posed as an ATPU officer attached to the Directorate of Immigration Services, promising to facilitate the victim’s acquisition of Kenyan citizenship. Njuguna was apprehended at the Overstone Hotel along the Eastern Bypass in Ruiru following investigations initiated by a formal complaint lodged at Nairobi’s Capitol Hill Police Station. 

Authorities say the fraudulent scheme unfolded between December 20, 2024, and February 12, 2025, during which the suspect allegedly obtained Ksh. 3,030,500 from the refugee under false pretences. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Njuguna presented himself as a high-ranking ATPU officer with influence over immigration processes. He convinced the victim that he had the ability to expedite the citizenship application, a claim that ultimately led to the transfer of substantial funds.  

The suspect’s arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing crackdown on fraudulent schemes targeting vulnerable foreign nationals. Refugees and asylum seekers, often desperate for legal status and stability, have increasingly fallen prey to individuals exploiting their circumstances for financial gain. Following Njuguna’s detention, ATPU officers conducted a search of his residence in Kahawa West and his vehicle, uncovering a trove of fraudulent documents and wooden stamps. 

Among the confiscated items were forged credentials bearing the names of various government institutions, including the Ministry of Lands, the Kenya Immigration Department at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Immigration Control in Busia, the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Somalia, and the Chief Magistrate’s office in Nairobi. Authorities believe these materials were instrumental in reinforcing the suspect’s deception, lending credibility to his false claims and convincing victims of his purported government connections.  

The case exposes a broader issue of fraudulent schemes targeting refugees and foreign nationals seeking legal residency in Kenya. With complex immigration procedures and bureaucratic hurdles often delaying applications, many individuals become susceptible to scams promising expedited processing. While Kenya has established legal frameworks to regulate immigration and refugee affairs, enforcement remains a challenge. 

Fraudsters exploit gaps in the system, leveraging counterfeit documents and impersonation tactics to manipulate unsuspecting victims. As investigations continue, Njuguna remains in custody, with his vehicle and the recovered items held as exhibits. He is expected to face charges of impersonation and obtaining money by false pretences, offences that carry significant legal consequences under Kenyan law.