- The arrest followed a complaint by Sonko at the Capital Hill Police Station over several fake Facebook accounts that were being operated by the suspect.
- Sonko told police the suspect purported to be working with his Sonko Rescue Team and coordinating an initiative to help needy parents with school fees challenges.
Image: DCI
Detectives have arrested a man who has been impersonating former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and conning unsuspecting members of the public thousands of shillings in a fake educational loan scheme.
The DCI said in a statement on Thursday that the 29-year-old suspect was arrested in Kisii's Riokindo Ward within the Kenyenya subcounty.
A handset he was using to send enticing messages to vulnerable victims and several sim cards were recovered during the operation.
"DCI Nairobi Area Crime Research & Intelligence Unit team which traced him to his village is processing him before his arraignment on January 19," DCI Director General Mohamed Amin said.
The arrest followed a complaint by Sonko at the Capital Hill Police Station over several fake Facebook accounts that were being operated by the suspect.
Sonko told police the suspect purported to be working with his Sonko Rescue Team and coordinating an initiative to help needy parents with school fees challenges.
He would then author messages that required interested persons to register with Sh1,000 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, location and state the purpose," Amin said.
"However, after receiving the registration fees, the suspect would shift briskly from a persistent caller to the aphoristic, "Patience pays". That statement was all his targets would make of their Sh1,000."
According to Section 382 of the Penal Code, "Any person who, with intent to defraud any person, falsely represents himself to be some other person, living or dead, is guilty of a misdemeanour".
The offence attracts up to three years imprisonment.
Sonko thanked the police for their effort in apprehending the suspect.
"I wish to convey my sincere appreciation to the DCI and his entire teams both from Kiambu Road Headquarters and Nairobi Area regional headquarters for the job well job done," he said.
"Hawa wezi niliwaambia siku zao haziko mbali (I told these thieves their days were numbered)."
The former county boss asked the DCI directorate to go after the other suspects associated with the fake loan offers but are still at large.
"Boss, I still need your help in the apprehension of the other suspects who are still at large and busy swindling unsuspecting members of the public.