Police in Kisii have arrested a 29-year-old man accused of impersonating former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko.
In an update on Thursday, January 11, 2024, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations(DCI) stated that the suspect identified as Newton Paul Kengere allegedly obtained thousands of shillings through his sham lending platform while impersonating the former County boss through Facebook.
According to DCI, Sonko in complaints lodged at Capital Hill Police Station decried the suspect operated several Facebook accounts purporting to be working with the "...Sonko Rescue Team and coordinating an initiative to help needy parents with school fees challenges."
To join the initiative, he would demand Ksh1,000 for the registration fee and personal details including the applicant's ID numbers, full name, location and a reason for the financial appeal.
However, after duping the innocent Kenyans, he would then demand they remain patient awaiting the next move.
"Kengere went ahead to author messages that required interested persons to register with Ksh1,000 for the advance loans which he said, would not accumulate any interest. To secure a loan, "applicants" had to also send their ID numbers, full names, and locations. However, after receiving the registration fees, Kengere would shift briskly from a persistent caller to the aphoristic, "Patience pays". That statement was all his targets would make of their Ksh1,000," DCI stated.
After his arrest in Kisii's Riokindo, Kenyenya sub-county, authorities recovered several sim cards he used to operate.
The suspect will be arraigned in court on Friday, January 19, 2024.
